December "WONG NOTES"

Had to wait to get thru our Tech and Opening of SOUTH PACIFIC before I could get to the WONG NOTES. I'm sure you all understand. Did you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving? I had a great meal and a very relaxing time at Molly Smith (Artistic Director of Arena Stage) and Susanne Blue Star Boy's home in Washington, DC. Besides the Turkey, the star of the evening was 4 year old Jaden Parker Esse who performed his very organic act in front of the curtains. His specialty were turns and front rolls. His mom Marie made an incredible string bean casserole, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pies. Food Glorious Food!! Now here's the news from New York.

FOUND: CYNTHIA FLEMMING living in Salt lake City with her husband and family. She is the Director of Marketing at Salt Lake Acting Company.

FOUND: JEANIE FRASIER (Maggie-International) AKA Olivia Mordente living in Los Angeles.

ANDY BEU (Don-National) writes "The Beu Sisters" were on Good Morning, NY (Fox Ch. 5) and did a couple of songs. They also sang the National Anthem for the Jets football game. Good luck girls.

GINA PAGLIA (Diane-International) says she went to see PRISCILLA LOPEZ in CLASS MOTHERS OF 68. Gina says she's remarkable and she has not enough adjectives to describe how wonderful she is playing 6 roles.

MERETE MUNETER (Maggie -Atlantic City) is busy getting the MICHAEL BENNETT page for the site. Thanks Merte for all the time and effort you've put into it. Can't wait to read it.

LARRY BLANK (Musical Director-National) e-mailed us to say:"The Katie Couric WEST SIDE STORY fundraiser for Colon Cancer was a rousing success and can really be attributed to THOMMIE WALSH'S deft handling of all the "stars"involved from Bway people like CHITA RIVERA, REBECCA LUKER and DAVIS GAINES... to RITA MORENO, BETTE MIDLER, ROBERT DeNIRO. . .and all the other wonderful performers who took part. TONY DANZA and JESSE MARTIN were spectacular in OFFICE KRUPKE. I conducted the evening. . .and Thommie and I are still recovering from the party after the event".
I have just handled a bunch of orchestrations for TOMMY TUNE'S new show at the Little Shubert. . . WHITE TIE AND TAILS. There are some existing arrangements from Tommy's act and other engagements and due to my connection with the late great Peter Matz. . .(he was a friend and mentor to many an arranger and conductor). ..I was asked by WALLY HARPER and Tommy T. to do some new arrangements including a new overture. SANDY ROVETA is in the show as well and looks great as she always does. It's good to have her back on the boards.The Little Shubert is a wonderful theatre too. . and a great asset to NYC. Show opens December 18.
love to you as always
Larry B.

SACHI and RON ( Connie and Bobby-Bway) tell us:
"Sachi and I went to the NYC memorial for SCOTT PLANK. It was very moving and we had a lot of laughs. There were actors from the Actor's Studio who spoke of Scott's great acting ability and of course dancers who spoke of the thrill of just dancing next to him. ACL Alumni included EUGENE FLEMING (who organized the event with Michelle Assaf) GORDY OWENS, GLEN TURNER (who sang a beautiful song to Scott) DANNY HERMAN, KEVIN MACREADY, ANGELIQUE ILO, SCOTT WISE, SCOTT AUSTIN, JOHN SALVATORE, MATT WEST, DANA MOORE, STEPHANIE ELEY, and BEBE NEUWIRTH. We watched clips of Scott's various TV and Film roles. He was truly a magnificent talent, and all who know him remember the impact he had on those around him".
Ron

J. ALEXANDER MARK (PSM-Salt Lake City) Says he was supposed to work on PETER PAN directed by PATTI D'BECK in Salt Lake City, but she had to pull out because her husband Lou is very ill. Hope all is well Patti our prayers are with you and Lou.

ROBERT TUNSTALL (Bobby-2001 tour) says he was a Nuclear Physicist, Satan, a Dancin' Drag Queen, and a Cuckoo Clock in his one man show. I think he had fun.

SYLVIA RHYNER (Maggie-Vienna) writes she had an amazing week when she sang at the benefit put together by Katie Couric, who created the cancer foundation in her late husband's honor. She says her experience was really first hand. She got to sing AMERICA with Bette Midler, Chita Rivera, and Rita Moreno. That alone was enough to make her year. But the real icing on the cake was singing MARIA in the Tonight Quintet opposite Paul Stanley from KISS. Kevin Spacey hosted the evening, Robin Williams did a monologue, Susan Sarandon and Meryl Streep told the story. Kevin Klein and Robert DeNiro singing the Jets Song and the list goes on.

ALYSON REED (Cassie -film) she directed SWINGTIME CANTEEN and GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING for McCoy-Rigby Entertainment at La Mirada Performing Arts Center. Last year she had a recurring role on PROVIDENCE and can be heard on several voice overs.

MICHAEL GORMAN (Bobby-B'way) says he has lots of work coming up. He is choreographing CHICAGO, SHENANDOAHA, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, and THE MERRY WIDOW. Michael says the University of Denver will open their Seventy-Million Dollar Music Building with THE MERRY WIDOW. He also told us he was going to give up the business and be a buyer for Neiman Marcus, after all, he says, he does know the inventory. Well, maybe next year, Michael.

CAROLINE O'CONNER (Cassie-UK tour) is performing the role of Velma in CHICAGO at the Schubert Theater. Welcome Caroline; hope you are having a great time in New York. By the way Caroline was dancing up a storm in the film Moulin Rouge.

LORENA CRIPALDI (Assistant Director-Italy) says she is now studying German, she says there is lots of work for those who can speak the language in Germany. She'll have to move away from here beautiful Italy. Lorena, is busy performing at a Gallery opening in Milan.

New York Reporter TROY GARZA (Dance Captain-B'way) reports:

Despite the cold and rainy weather November 17th, it was a lively crowd at the 2500th performance of CHICAGO, marking its 6th year on Broadway. The company was psyched, I could tell. Having ANN REINKING (Cassie, B'way) and director WALTER BOBBIE, as well as lots of other theatre luminaries like JAMES NAUGHTON and TOMMY TUNE in the audience, might have had something to do with it..........

The cast was really on, including my date, ROXANE CARRASCO (Diana/Montreal, DC/Europe) who is such a great performer, looking fantastic, and of course JOHN MINEO (B'way/Original Swing), the coolest cat of all. As I recall, I replaced Mineo in ACL when he left to do DANCIN' in '77...Yow, that was 25 years ago!.... Glad to see my old pal ROZ RYAN in the show as Mama, and singing the hell out of it! And our alumnus JAMES PATRIC MORAN (U/S Europe) was there too, currently a Swing. Great to catch up with former colleague SUSAN DANIELE (Sheila/Broadway) in Shubert Alley afterwards, also looking fantastic, by the way.........

So, when Roxane and I arrived at the party, producers FRAN and BARRY WEISSLER, along with ANN REINKING and WALTER BOBBIE were already piling into their limo. Barry called Roxane over to the car window, where she introduced me as I tried to hold an umbrella over us all. He said it was too loud and so crowded they couldn't move, so after a few hellos, thank-yous, and good-byes, off they drove. Inside, the music was indeed way too loud to carry on a conversation, but I guess we got used to it 'cause the place was rockin' til midnight and then some. Now I have a sore throat from all the
shouting.........

Had a really nice talk with BEBE NEUWIRTH (Sheila/B'way, Cassie/Internat'l) in one of the quieter corners. We hadn't seen each other for four years, and had a lot to catch up on. We spoke about the passing of Scott Plank, and what a great loss of such incredible talent. I remember auditioning Bebe for ACL "back then"..... reading a 19-year-old for Sheila.... and she kicked ass.

It was a real pleasure meeting CAROLINE O'CONNOR, who's currently playing Velma. She was excellent in the show and I told her so. A really nice lady. TRACY SHANE (Diana, Maggie/ B'way) of course was there, ebullient as always! Chatted with my friend, choreographer MICHELLE ASSAF, too. Also got a chance to speak with the terrific pianist JEFF SAVER (B'way orchestra) who played so many hours of rehearsals and auditions for us at the Shubert.

Walked Roxane home at 12:30 (still raining!) then drove myself home to the mountains, in a snow storm, of course.
More later.
Troy

JOSE RIVERA (Costume Designer ) sent us Thanksgiving Greetings.


New York Reporter ROBERT TUNSTALL (Bobby-2001 Tour) writes:

Hello Decent embers,

First off...Congratulations to JAMIE KARAN (Bebe, Gateway) for getting her first Broadway show!!! She'll be swingin' away in the new revival of Man of La Mancha.

MIGUEL ANGEL and DJ CHASE (Butch-AL, 2001 tour) are off to Switzerland to perform in the Euro-tour of West Side Story.

I ran into DONNA DRAKE at the Producers Club. (Don't worry, she's ok) She looks great (as always) and is busy with her new show Christmas with Joan Crawford. I was there performing in a new play entitled Hey, you alive? Where I took on the roles of: a Nuclear physicist, Satan, a dancin' drag queen, and a cuckoo clock. (fun for the entire family). The play was taped and will be submitted to the Fringe Festival and the one in Edenborough, Scotland. KATIE CAMERON has decided to turn down "Z's favorite" at Beef and Boards and do "Judy" in A Chorus Line in Seattle. She's excited to be performing at "Home" and being on the line once again.

Happy Holidays :)

Love to all,
Robert

Had a wonderful month of work. Vanessa Williams was a dream to work with. She is hard working, totally prepared and was a wonderful Carmen Jones. Richard White and Kate Baldwin are my Emile and Nellie in South Pacific. Our first preview had our audiences swooning over both of them. So, HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you all and you'll hear from me in 2003. Please continue to write me and let me know how your DECEMBER turned out. You'd be suprised how many people are interested. So keep those e-mails coming because you make the Wong Notes a reading delight.

Write to me at baayorkATachorusline.org

Happy Holidays!

In loving spirit,

Baayork