November WONG Notes

November was a wonderful month of hard work and creating for me at Arena Stage in Washington, DC. Camelot, which I thought had virtually no dancing, turned out to be, with the visual creativity of the director Molly Smith, filled with all sorts of movement. Jousting and Combat ballets, dancing scene changes, Scottish and Irish dancing, yes, Maypole and all. What a choreographer's creative feast. PARKER ESSE (Swing-Paper Mill) who assisted me on SOUTH PACIFIC last year did a great job and also was marvelous as the Horses for the Joust ballet. There is nothing like a 6' 3" horse kicking up his heels. KEVIN BURROWS (Al-B'way Tour of America) got quite a few laughs as Sir Lionel in his number "TAKE ME TO THE FAIR." LARRY MUNSEY (ACL-Atlantic City ) who helped with auditions, did a great job as a dancing and tumbling Knight. MICHELLE LUI COUGHLIN (CONNIE - Regional) was vocally lovely and spectacular in the combat ballet as a Chinese Warrior, also accompanying her was JEFFERY LUKE, ballet dancer from my opera SLY that went to Japan last year. And as an African Knight JOHN LUCAS, who toured Europe as an apostle in my SUPERSTAR company, was stunning as he twirled his spear against Lancelot. STEVEN SKYBELL as King Arthur, MATT BOGART as Lancelot, and how lucky does a choreographer get to have singer/dancer Kate Suber as Guenevere; they were all wonderful. So, after sending out an SOS to you all (DESPERATE EDITOR) I got so many e-mail's telling me all your news. So let's get started.

THANKSGIVING GREETINGS FROM:

GINA PAGLIA
MATT JOHNSTON
CHERYL CLARK
RON DENNIS
PARKER ESSE
LUIS VILLABON
DJ CHASE
DANA WINKLER
LARRY BLANK
COLLEEN HAWKS
MICHELLE BRUCKNER
JEANNA SCHWEPPE
BARBRA LUNA

PATTI DE BECK ( Wonderstudy-B'way) writes: "I'm working with JEFF CALHOUN a bit on TABOO, then I'm off to Salt Lake City to direct a Smokey Joe's."

MICHAEL WATSON (Don-International) who is now a writer and an entrepreneur writes: "Hi there! Just wanted to let you know my play SIGHTLINE will have a reading at the RATTLESNAKE THEATER in the Village ON JANUARY 5 AT 7:00PM."

LAURE BALLON (CASSIE-VIENNA) writes from Paris: "I have a premiere November 21 at the Olympia Theater in Paris for a new musical called BELLES, BELLES, BELLES based on songs from a famous French singer Claude Francois! I have a 2 year contract and the production is expected to be a big hit! Besides ensemble I have covers for two big parts, it's quiet challenging." Laure, work for 2 years, I think we should all go to Paris!

JEANNA SCHWEPPE (Val- Regional) writes she had a great time playing the role of Edythe in MY ONE AND ONLY at Cape Cod Playhouse and Erma in ANYTHING GOES at Riverside Theater at Vero Beach, Florida. Her Biggest Production is yet to come: she is PREGNANT and looks forward to the appearance of a little boy JAN 4, 2004. Congratulations Jeanna we will be waiting for photos for our ACL Babies page.

DENNIS DENIELLO (Company Manager-Nikko tour) told us he is on a National Tour of the play THE EXONERATED. It is an unusual tour because each week they have new stars. The list includes: Lynn Redgrave, Robin Williams, Brian Dennehy, Stockard Channing and Mia Farrow. Dennis says he constantly waits for the music and dance numbers to start.

MICHELLE BRUCKNER ( Shiela- National) writes: "After a busy summer at Maine State Music Theater, where I was the assistant choreographer for La Cage aux Folles, the dance captain for Jekyll and Hyde, and did 'The Shimmy" and was dance captain for Smokey Joe's Café, I started a nine month teacher training program to get my Yoga teacher's certification at the Birchwood Center in Nyack, NY. Angelica (ACL Baby) is two and a half now and goes to Montessori school while I study. PAUL DELCIOPPO (Production staff-B'way tour of America) my husband, has been busy working on The Boy from OZ and Wicked and is now doing some production work for the touring companies of Mamma Mia. I teach six dance classes a week and am keeping very busy."

PHILIP BASKERVILLE(Richie-National) wrote to say he is involved with several new projects for the fall. We all know with that voice and those dancer legs we'll hear from him in no time.

GEOFFERY MERGELE (Bobby-Surflight) writes: I just finished a run of Jekyll and Hyde at the Pittsburgh Playhouse. Margo Sappington choreographed and I got to talk to her briefly about you and Promises, Promises, etc. I loved working with her. She is a riot.

PRISCILLA LOPEZ (Diana-original) recently opened with Jimmy Smit in the play Anna in the Tropics. The New York Times wrote about her: "Lopez, best known as the original Morales of A Chorus Line, adroitly balances social snobbery and familial affection, and her scenes with Mr.Argo are redolent of the comfort and irritation of a well-worn relationship." Priscilla also recently wrapped up filming Tony and Tina's Wedding.

NICK DEMOS (ACL - Atlantic City) writes: "I am beginning my 5th year as the Artistic Director for Lyric Theater of Oklahoma. I can't believe that it is already five years. We had an incredibly successful season-the best ticket sales in the 42 year history of the theater. I directed and choreographed Chicago starring Deborah Gibson, and then we produced Footloose, Wizard of Oz, Smokey Joe's Café and Forever Plaid. I had a great time with Chicago...it was one of those productions where there was magic...everything worked...and well, I was a proud papa."
"I'm directing a reading of a new musical called Kids in America in Los Angeles in December, go back to Lyric in January for our production of Pageant and then go to Wichita, KS to direct a production of Godspell. All of this leads me to our '04 summer season: Best Little Whorehouse in TX, Chess, Annie, Jekyll and Hyde and MY WAY, a musical tribute to Frank Sinatra."

MICHAEL DANKE (Don/Zach- B'way) writes: "I have crossed over to the dark side and am now stage managing. I was the production stage manager for the Berlin company of Evita this past year, and stage managed Grease, and West Side Story, for Wolfgang. Now I am Production Stage Manager for this Off Broadway play Perfect Crime, not a bad gig so far. I have turned out to find my path, since I have a degree in set and light design, plus all the work I have done in the business, it is a perfect fit."

LONNIE COOPER (Company Manager-Nikko tour) writes: "I am well. I am living in Greeley, CO where I am the Director of Cultural Affairs for the City. I run the Performing Arts Ctr, the Museums, Festival and Public Art. It's a great little city, about 85,000 folks. I even took up skiing."

LEMUEL WADE (Richie- Regional) writes: "I am still in Munich and things are starting to pick up. I just finished a demo and will be doing a performance of my music at Club Pacha next month. In the mean time I am in the studio working on new music and also preparing to teach some actors to sing for a film that they are about to make (I am writing the music for that too. Very nerve-racking, I have to say!) They are a great bunch so if anything, it should be fun. Well, that's about it for now."

JAN LEIGH HERNDON (Sheila - 2001 Tour) writes: "Since working with you at Papermill (the first production in the 90s) I went on to do the show with Mitzi many times which was a joy as well. I played Anna in THE KING AND I a couple of times (Mitzi choreographed one of them), Elsa in THE SOUND OF MUSIC (just got back from Casa Manana on one of those), did a couple of productions of THE WORLD GOES ROUND (Karen Mason role), a couple of Dorothy Brocks, a string of shows at Gateway Playhouse (thanks to Bobby Longbottom for getting me there) and no matter what show I'm in, I always come in contact with someone who was at one time very connected to our beloved show."

SYLVIA RHYNE (Maggie- Vienne) gives us her Update: "This year, my musical partner Eric and I are creating our first album of early music for two voices and lute, and preparing for a concert tour of Morocco! Our duo is called Asteri. I have also begun teaching Master Classes in audition technique and finding emotional truth in the performance of a song. I have enjoyed teaching this class at Carleton College, one of the top colleges in the country, and will now bring it as a series to New York. My first class will begin in January! I'm thrilled by these new adventures and look forward to an exciting new year."

ERIN MALLOY (Maggie- Nikko Tour) writes us from Thailand to say: "I am sad to say this will be my final e-mail from Thailand. I leave tonight for NYC and begin my journey home. I am officially a certified yoga instructor. It was well worth the aches and pains. A few Thai massages and I am back to normal. Meanwhile, I flew over to Phuket last Saturday for some R&R on the beach and I decided to get my scuba diving certification. I am now a certified scuba diver as well! This was my trip for certifications, I guess. The diving was great and I have a feeling it will become my new obsession. I already want to buy my own fins, mask and snorkel, and wetsuit. Erin a Yoga/ Scuba Diving instructor. Are you ready!"

CINDY MARCHIONDA (Diana-2001 Tour) writes: "Over the summer I played the role of Hildy in ON THE TOWN out at Gateway Playhouse on Long Island. It was soooo much fun and such a great role to perform. Got a great review in the New York Times---"Cindy is fiercely funny as Hildy." And I just finished a short run of a new show called I GOT MERMAN at the Majestic Theater in Dallas (in conjunction with Dallas Summer Musicals)."

PAUL (FRANK) LIBERTI (Larry-Atlantic City) writes: "I just completed filming THE STEPFORD WIVES with Nicole Kidman, Bette Midler, Christopher Walken, Glen Close, Matthew Broderick ... as a dancing Stepford husband. .. I actually had to teach Jon Lovitz and Bette Midler how to waltz without killing the people around them... in this new version of the dark comedy ... they are hysterical!" Click here to read Paul's complete e-note.

MIKI YAMASHITA (Connie-2001 Tour) writes: "I just performed at the York Theater in their Mufti Series, a show called Oh, Boy! By Jerome Kern. Also my cable talk-show Lutz Chat with Miki and Peter is still going strong, and we are celebrating the 4,000th hit on our website."

DENNIS EDENFIELD (Don-National) writes: "I just got back from Philly where I directed a tour of Christmas Carol. Unfortunately, after a very successful season the Board voted to close down Cherry County Playhouse in Michigan, where I was Artistic Director, due to the lack of funds." Dennis, we know you'll have a comeback real soon. You never let any grass grow under your feet.

KEVIN STEELE (Don - Austin Musical Theater - Summer 2000) is at North Shore with WEST SIDE STORY.

COLLEEN HAWKS (Judy-2001 Tour) e-mailed to say she had her photo in ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY as one of the trio in THE BOY FROM OZ. Also if you watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the cast did a number from the show. Unfortunately, she says, Hugh Jackman wasn't in the performance, guess you'll have to come to the show for him!

DJ CHASE (AL-2001 Tour) says: "I'm writing from Beverly, Mass. where I'm performing in West Side Story at North Shore Music Theater. Having a blast but the tech was brutal. Ah, showbiz."

DANA WINKLER (Cassie-regional) writes: "I'm back at Westchester Broadway Theater (where I did Singing' in the Rain earlier this year) doing a new musical version of Miracle on 34th Street. The cast is so wonderful, and overall it's just a lovely experience. (No dancing, though--and it's been a long time since I did a show without any dancing!) Other than that, I'm just enjoying time with my friends and family."

CHERYL CLARK (CASSIE-B'way) writes: "Mimi and I are driving into Vegas tomorrow to spend Thanksgiving with her best friend from Kindergarten and family. She is turning 17 years old and going to take her driving test next month-I'm going nuts in LA with her driving (but I appear calm)! Happy Thanksgiving."

SUZEN MIRAGOSHI (Connie-International) who is now a producer and writer says: She had a reading of SWW at NY Theater Workshop. Nov. 13th at the upstairs loft. She said everyone came had a few laughs, and was among friends.

JOHN CALDER III (PSM- National) writes he will be the PSM for Chris and Nick Manos's touring companies of ANNIE and THE KING AND I.

STEFAN NAGEL (Mike-Vienne) writes: "Last month I started my own Big Band -15 Musicians - it is the swingiest Big Band in Germany. We play only danceable swing music with arrangements that are exclusively written for me. So we have our own sound. Of course I am still tapping a little, whistling, talking and entertaining. Check out my website. www.stefannagel.net Click here to check out Stefan's e-note and update.

RON DENNIS (Richie-original) writes: He is still living his journey with HIV/AIDS and has an article in a magazine. He is reminded of the stuff these reporters write out of context and what the celebs go through, it's just amazing. LOL! "Years back, during the Marv Albert sportscaster biting incidence, a reporter from the Globe arrived on my door step (don't ask me how I got involved????) when I was still quite ill mind you, and asked me, and offered me $15,000.00 to say that I was THE DRAG QUEEN he was alleged to be seeing. DUH!????? Now I often wonder if I had held out for more $$$$$ and LIED that I WAS the QUEEN in question, Lord knows what would have happened."

Click here to read Ron's complete e-note.

MICHELLE SCARPA (Diana -Nikko tour) and LAUREN WAGNER (Bebe-2001 tour) are in the cast of WEST SIDE STORY at NORTHSHORE.

JESSICA BROKOWSKY (Diana-Regional) writes: "I am in Ft. Myers Florida right now doing A CHORUS LINE again. It is going really great. The reviews are wonderful and so is PATTI DE BECK (Wonderstudy-B'way) She has so much energy... I love it. I am enjoying the fact that I am in the heat during the winter months. And only an hour and 45 min from my family. I am doing the Christmas show here right after ACL and will be done Jan 4. Sending you lots of love and creative thought!.....Jessica"

KIM SHIVER'S (Sheila-2001 tour) husband JOHN SAMORIAN (assistant MD-Papermill) is assistant MD for the B'way show LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Had a wonderful time with Kim at the opening night party at Tavern on the Green. We went star hopping together and the only one we could see was DOUGLAS SILLS who stars in the show.

WEST COAST REPORT:

LARRY BLANK (MD-National) joins RON DENNIS as an LA reporter.
I am currently writing arrangements for opera singer Deborah Voight for a Christmas Concert conducted by DON PIPPIN with the NY Philharmonic on December 7.

DONNA McKECHNIE is appearing here in LA next weekend (Nov 22-23) and has asked me to play piano for her. Yesterday, November 16th, was Donna's birthday. She looks and sounds great as always.I hear she was a smash in NY following Carol Channing with Glen Roven interviewing and playing.

JIM MAY (who was asst MD for A Chorus Line tour) is recovering completely from some major surgery. He is absolutely fit as a fiddle and totally recovered. It was a tumor above and behind his soft palate without rhyme or reason and is now gone. The doctors did a miraculous job and to look or speak with him, you'd never believe that a couple of months ago he had a benign but life-threatening tumor.He is already out on the streets playing piano and conducting orchestras. His friends are throwing a huge party Nov 24th in LA as we missed a "big" birthday bash in Sept when he had his surgery. Anyone who wants to be in touch, his email is jmay136ATaol.com

Please visit my website: http://www.larryblankmusic.com

Larry

EAST COAST REPORT:

ROBERT TUNSTALL (BOBBY - 2001 TOUR) writes:

Elations and Salutations!

Welcome to winter....

I burrrr-ring you joy....and the news of a baby boy! Belonging to none other than Ms. Tracy Reinholt (Kristine, Rahway).Congratulations!!

The Elan Awards honored ROB MARSHALL this year with a celebration of dance. Fourteen choreographers were chosen to display their work during the program which took place at F.I.T. here in N.Y.C. Past award winners include Ann Reinking, Jerry Mitchell, and Graciella Danielle. I stood attentive in the stage right wing as Mr. Marshall gave his inspiring acceptance speech. He talked about how he started off as a dancer and, from there, progressed to where he is today. A funny and shocking story of how he broke Chita Rivera's finger captivated the crowd. This happened his first night "on" as an understudy opposite her in The Rink. They were dancing a fast and furious jitterbug number and at the end he hit the final button.....and her finger. He looked over at her as she smiled at the applauding audience and said (through her teeth), "I think you just broke my finger." She had to wear a splint for the next five weeks...But never missed a show! Graciella Danielle presented Mr. Marshall with the award and Chita made a special appearance via video. She teased him about the broken finger and congratulated him as well, saying "Don't give all your great steps away...save some for me."
I was honored to be asked to dance for up and coming choreographer Matt Williams. Our number stopped the show in the second act and I'm still glowing from the experience. JENNIFER LEWIS (Maggie, Euro tour) was in attendance so I took her as my "date" to the post show gala. We had a great time catching up and drinking champagne with the "who's who." She's in Nashville now performing with the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular.

JENNIFER CHAMBERS (Judy, Maine State) also performed at the Elan Awards. She just transferred from the national tour of The Producers to the Broadway company. It's her well deserved Broadway debut and she's thrilled to be understudying the Tony award-winning role of "Ulla". During understudy rehearsals she plays the part opposite Matt Loehr's "Leo" (Mike, Nikko tour). I hope they get to perform it on the great white way soon!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

remember...

Dance for those who can't

Love to all,

Robert

Thanks to Robert Tunstall and Larry Blank for their reports. Also, I want to thank everyone who responed to my call for help in making this month's Notes more interesting and informative. Hope you all in New York survived the first snowfall. Please write me at baayorATachorusline.org and let me know what's going on in your life.
In loving spirit,

Baayork

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