Category: Uncategorized

Posted on

Broadway: Gypsy of the Year 2011

Called “the season’s most dazzling talent show,” Gypsy of the Year is easily the biggest party in town with appearances by dozens of Broadway and Off-Broadway’s most popular shows and performers.

This year, a rollicking opening number will feature a reunion of the original cast of Grease in a special 40-year anniversary tribute. Among the stars returning to the stage from one of the most popular musicals in Broadway history are Barry Bostwick (Danny), Carole Demas (Sandy), Adrienne Barbeau (Betty Rizzo), Alan Paul (Teen Angel/Johnny Casino) and Walter Bobbie (Roger).

Also joining the opening number reunion are original cast members Don Billett (Vince Fontaine), James Canning (Doody), Daniel Douglas (Burger Palace Boy), Katie Hanley (Marty), Tom Harris (Eugene Florczyk), Ilene Kristen (Patty Simcox), Joy Rinaldi (Pink Lady) and Mews Small (Frenchy).

Gypsy of the Year is the culmination of six weeks of intensive fundraising by Broadway, Off-Broadway and national touring companies. It’s also a sensational display of the most talented singers and dancers in the chorus of shows (known as “gypsies”). Awards are presented to the top fundraisers and for the best presentation during the two shows.

Last year, Gypsy of the Year raised $3,776,720, pushing the competition’s 22-year total to $44,136,720.  I was thrilled to be a part of the opening number last year that honored Carol Channing.

If you are in NYC on December 5 or 6, go see this amazing theatrical experience.

Monday, December 5, 4:30 pm
Tuesday, December 6, 2 pm
New Amsterdam Theatre
214 West 42nd Street, NYC

Click here for more info.

Posted on

Holiday CD: Vanessa Williams Holiday Collection

Easily one of my favorite CDs for Christmas – Vanessa Williams’ Christmas Collection is the perfect thing to put you in the mood for the holidays.

With a perfect balance of traditional versions of carols blended with soulful, gospel tinged interpretations, Vanessa brings the Christmas spirit to your holiday library.  This is a real singer.

Posted on

GLEE’s Darren Criss gets ready for Broadway – “How To Succeed in Business…”

Darren Criss, breakout star of Fox’s Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning smash hit television show “GLEE”, will make his Broadway debut as J. Pierrepont Finch in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, performing a strictly limited three week engagement from January 3, through January 22, 2012.

He will replace Daniel Radcliffe, who will play his final performance on Sunday, January 1, 2012.

Tickets for Mr. Criss’ engagement in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING are now on sale. Go behind the scenes of his recent photo shoot!

Posted on

Congressman Barney Frank will not seek reelection

From CNN: Massachusetts congressman Barney Frank, a prominent 16-term liberal Democrat and arch-enemy of political conservatives nationwide, will announce Monday he does not intend to seek re-election in 2012, according to a statement from Frank’s office.

The Massachusetts Democrat is one of four openly gay members of Congress. The other three are Reps. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Jared Polis (D-Colo.) and David Cicilline (D-R.I.) Baldwin is leaving her seat to pursue a run for U.S. Senate, but gay candidate Mark Pocan is seeking to replace her.

Frank, 71, was first elected in 1980 and serves as the ranking Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee. When Democrats held control of the House during the 111th Congress, he led the way as a chairman of the committee for the passage of major financial reform legislation known as Dodd-Frank.

Reactions from across the political spectrum:

President Barack Obama: “This country has never had a Congressman like Barney Frank, and the House of Representatives will not be the same without him. For over 30 years, Barney has been a fierce advocate for the people of Massachusetts and Americans everywhere who needed a voice. He has worked tirelessly on behalf of families and businesses and helped make housing more affordable. He has stood up for the rights of LGBT Americans and fought to end discrimination against them. And it is only thanks to his leadership that we were able to pass the most sweeping financial reform in history designed to protect consumers and prevent the kind of excessive risk-taking that led to the financial crisis from ever happening again.”

Human Rights Campaign: “Barney Frank has exemplified true leadership over his more than 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. As the first openly gay Member of Congress, Barney defied stereotypes and kicked doors open for LGBT Americans. Repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act would never have happened without his leadership.”

Freedom To Marry: “As a public servant, Barney Frank has been an inspiration and a giant in an age where we’ve had few, and losing him as a leader in Congress and in public debate will be a painful blow for the country. Barney’s excellence in shaping legislation and unparalleled voice in battling many of the wrong turns the country has taken have made extraordinary contributions to the history of our times.”

Posted on

Holiday CD of the day: “Holiday Spirits” from Straight No Chaser

Love these guys and their music.  Long before GLEE introduced the world to the “Warblers” – we had Straight No Chaser.

If the phrase “male a cappella group” conjures up an image of students in blue blazers, ties, and khakis singing traditional college songs on ivied campuses… think again. Straight No Chaser (SNC) are neither strait-laced nor straight-faced, but neither are they vaudeville-style kitsch. As original member Randy Stine comments, “We take the music very seriously; we just don’t take ourselves too seriously.” In the process, they are reinventing the idea of a cappella on the modern pop landscape.

The group originally came together in the fall of 1996 at IU, basically as “10 guys who happened to be good friends who also liked to sing.” Choosing the members carefully for personality as well as vocal talent — Stine, Mechling, Jerome Collins, David Roberts and Walter Chase remain from the original lineup — SNC set itself apart from other a cappella groups with its contemporary repertoire and dynamic approach, quickly headlining concerts both in Bloomington and on road dates.

They have a great sound AND a sense of humor that really entertains – see their live version of “The 12 Days of Christmas” below – viewed over 13 million times on youtube.

Check out their CDs here.