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Kristin Chenoweth Will Host The Drama Desk Awards!
 Photo: Andrew Southam  Photo by: Joan Marcus from The Apple Tree. KRISTIN CHENOWETH TO HOST 52ND ANNUAL DRAMA DESK AWARDS ON MAY 20 AT F.H. LAGUARDIA CONCERT HALL AT LINCOLN CENTER New York, NY, March 30, 2007 --- Kristin Chenoweth, the luminous star of the Broadway musical stage who recently concluded her critically acclaimed engagement in The Apple Tree for The Roundabout Theatre, will host the 52nd Annual Drama Desk Awards on Sunday, May 20, at 9:00 PM, it was announced by Robert R. Blume, Executive Producer of the awards ceremony, and William Wolf, President of the Drama Desk. The awards ceremony will be held in the F.H. LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center and will be taped for subsequent broadcast on PBS stations nationwide, including Thirteen/WNET and NYC TV 25 in New York City. “We are extremely excited that Kristin Chenoweth will be hosting this year,” said Executive Producer Robert R. Blume. “She is a sensational performer whose multiple talents as a singer and actress have made her one of the biggest stars on Broadway and television. We’ve had a great relationship with Kristin in the past and we are thrilled to welcome her back into the Drama Desk Awards family.” William Wolf, President of the Drama Desk, an organization of theater critics, writers and editors, that honors excellence in all areas of New York theatre, including Broadway, Off Broadway, Off Off Broadway and not-for-profit Theater, hailed the choice of Ms. Chenoweth as host. “Kristin Chenoweth is a dynamic star who has shown her enormous talent in an appealing assortment of productions. We are delighted that she has agreed to host our Drama Desk awards and look forward to the charm, energy and intelligence she will bring to the event.” Kristin Chenoweth seems to be at ease on any stage. While performing this year in The Apple Tree, Kristin took a night off to perform a sold out solo concert at the Metropolitan Opera House. From May 10 – 14 of this year, she will star in the Encores series’ first original production, Stairway to Paradise, a show celebrating some of the very best material from a half century of Broadway revues. Many remember Kristin’s show-stealing, Tony-winning performance in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown and her triumphant star turn when she originated the role of Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked, which earned her a Tony Award nomination. Chenoweth also performed in the Broadway comedy Epic Proportions and in the Kander and Ebb musical Steel Pier, for which she won a Theatre World award. Her performance in an Off Broadway production of Moliere’s Scapin for the Roundabout Theatre Company also won raves. Television fans know her as Annabeth Schott on The West Wing, the librarian, Marian Paroo, in ABC’s movie version of Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man, and Lily St. Regis in the television adaptation of Annie. She also starred in her own series Kristin for NBC. Moviegoers have seen her in Deck the Halls with Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick, RV with Robin Williams, Bewitched with Nicole Kidman, Running with Scissors with Annette Bening, and The Pink Panther with Steve Martin. Her film credits also include a cameo in Marc Forster’s Stranger Than Fiction with Emma Thompson. She is currently developing a feature film based on the life of Dusty Springfield and is scheduled to make her Metropolitan Opera debut in March 2010 as Samira in John Corigliano’s The Ghost of Versailles. A veteran of the concert scene, Kristin took the stage in a solo sold-out concert at Carnegie Hall in 2004 and subsequently performed her SRO solo concert at Sam Mendes’s acclaimed Donmar Warehouse in London as part of the Divas at Donmar series. Following her London concert, Chenoweth performed with various symphonies, including The New York Philharmonic, Boston Pops, National Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony and the San Francisco Symphony. One of her proudest accomplishments was performing Bernstein’s Candide at Lincoln Center with The New York Philharmonic. Other performances include her sold-out Los Angeles solo debut at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, an evening at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, and the Washington National Opera’s 50th Anniversary Gala with Placido Domingo. Kristin is also an accomplished recording artist and has released the albums Let Yourself Go and As I Am on Sony Classical, and is gearing up for her third album. Robert R. Blume is Executive Producer of the 52nd Annual Drama Desk Awards. Lauren Class Schneider is Producer and Jeff Kalpak is Director. Associate Producers are Jacki Barlia Florin, Corine Dana Cohen, Margot Astrachan and Les Schecter who is also Director of Publicity and Promotions. Elias EL-Hage is the General Manager. Randie Levine-Miller is Special Events Director for the Drama Desk... Roy A. Somlyo is Consulting Producer.
PACO PENA DANCE COMPANY
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  March 30 at 8 pm Event: A COMPÀS! PACO PEÑA DANCE COMPANY Description: A Compás!, blends a range of flamenco rhythms, from the almost tribal, trance-inducing quality of the alboreá to the razor-sharp complexity of the bulería. This newest presentation creates an unstoppable pulse that can not only be seen but felt, spotlighting the dancer in that magical moment where music meets the soul. The dancer is at one with the music, and the result is mesmerizing and electrifying as everyone gets "into the rhythm," or "a compás!" Featuring Flamenco guitarist Paco Peña and his company of singers, dancers, and guitarists. (Town Hall Website) Flamenco is a great interest of mine. Many years ago, I took a trip through Spain and our tour went to several Flamenco shows. I was just a teen but was moved by the dancers passion. One evening, our tour saw a show and one of the dancers (a tall, dark and handsome dancer asked me to be part of his dance.) He danced around me in a circle with a rose in between his teeth. It was probably done to a different girl each night but it is a night I will never forget.
Producers Corner- Pat Addiss
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 Photo 1 by Mark Rupp- Catherine Russell and Pat Addiss  Photo2 By John Webb. : Bob Blume, Frank Evans and Pat Addiss What is Your favorite Restaurant in NYC? Ruby Foos at 49th Street and Broadway...located one block away from my show SPRING AWAKENING. I have a rule of thumb, I only eat 1or 2 blocks away from the theater. It is really a dubious choice for me as it is so big....but the food is incredibly delicious and fair priced.. Totally bizarre, my favorite is not on the menu, but every wait person knows it. Goat Cheese salad....even when I am not going to the theater I will stop in for my Goat Cheese "FIX" The food is Asian fusion, so there is something for every palate.It is wise to have a reservation before the theater....but if you don't , ask to sit at the Sushi bar.You can also eat at the regular bar. How did you become a Broadway Producer? I had dabbled in off Broadway.I graduated from the CTI 14 week course at the same time I was running a small hands on Premium/promotion company. I realized that I could not be a producer and run a 24/7 company at the same time. I gave the 30 yr old company to my daughter, who still runs it in McLean, Virginia.My first foray was Little Women which I will always be devoted to. Then came Chita Rivera:The Dancer's Life, Bridge and Tunnel, SHOUT the mod musical off Broadway and now SPRING AWAKENING. I do many staged readings of new plays at the National Arts Club and my last one SPARKS has just won the TRU Voices Play Readings Series to be performed at the Players Theater on June18th at 7PM. Photos by Mark Rupp and John Webb Interview by Corine Cohen
Pondering Passion!
 Photo by Maryann Lopinto. First, I wanted to discuss some issues that have moved me this week. The topic is passion. Passion has always been my driving force and it has always made me respect others that are motivated by this deep needed passion. 1. I am very excited that Kristin Chenoweth, a woman who played PASSIONELLA WITH UTMOST PASSION has agreed to be the host of the Drama Desk Awards this year. This makes me very happy. I wanted to put her gorgeous PASSIONELLA photos in this blog but sadly the files are too big for it to handle. 2. I went to Patrick Quinn's Memorial this week and was moved by his PASSION for life and how many people were touched by his work. He will be missed this year. 3. I saw Curtains this week and was really impressed with David Hyde Piece's performance. He also shows how much he loves being on the stage. Please live each and everyday with PASSION! More later...
St. George's Society Theater Panel At The National Arts Club.
 Charlotte St. Martin, Howard Sherman, George Forbes, Robert Blume and Margot Astrachan.  Jim Dale, MC.  Drama Desk President William Wolf Recently, the National Arts Club hosted The St. George¹s Society ARTS INITIATIVE Panel Discussion . Demystifying the Theatre Awards, The Tonys, The Drama Desk Awards, and the Lucille Lortel Awards. The evening was MC'd by Jim Dale and the panel moderated by Margot Astrachan. Photos by John Shannon.
Corine's Corner Curtain Call...
 Judith Ivey and Marian Seldes at Sarabeth's  Judith Ivey and Marian Seldes  Larry Keith and Joe Franklin  Penny Fuller and Larry Keith During the transition of my new site a few articles fell through the cracks. This one is a few months old but I wanted to share it with you as I adored this Off Broadway Production! CORINE'S CORNER: OPENING NIGHT CURTAIN CALL Afterparty coverage by Corine Cohen Photos by Maryann Lopinto Southern Comforts directed by Judith Ivey starring Penny Fuller and Larry Keith Primary Stages 59 E. 59th St Theaters (212-753-5959) www.primarystages.com Opening night October 17th I was thrilled to attend the opening night of "Southern Comforts" written by Kathleen Clark and directed by TV/film/stage actress Judith Ivey (who took a break from touring her one-woman show "Women On Fire" to do this limited run)--a comic drama that garnered such accolades during its initial run at the Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami that the producers joined forces with the Primary Stages Theater company and brought the production to New York City. The show takes place in New Jersey and it proved that people can find love at different stages of life, and when you least expect it. Starring theater veterans Penny Fuller and Larry Keith, this two-person tour de force details the evolution of an older couple's relationship over a year's time--established long after both have suffered through the loss of their first spouses, their children's emerging adulthood, and the struggle with a gnawing loneliness. In Kathleen Clark's play, these two newlywed retirees Amanda (Fuller) and Gus (Keith) ponder whether or not they'll stick to their vows of "till death do us part." It is a charming, well written show with heart and some really touching moments. During the opening party, I spoke with a few of the stars; Larry Keith confessed that he had only one week to rehearse his role. One would never know otherwise. His performance was flawless and the show will be a surefire hit.
Feinstein's At The Regency-
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FEINSTEIN’S AT THE REGENCY PRESENTS THE RETURN OF EMMY AND TONY AWARD WINNING COMEDY LEGEND JACKIE MASON IN HIS LAST AREA APPEARANCE PRIOR TO BROADWAY “ALL NEW: A PRE-BROADWAY COMEDY WORKOUT” APRIL 10-21 FEINSTEIN’S AT THE REGENCY, the nightclub proclaimed “Best of New York” by New York Magazine and “an invaluable New York institution” by The New York Post, will continue its Spring 2007 season with the return engagement of the Emmy and Tony Award winning comedy legend JACKIE MASON from April 10-21 in his last area appearance prior to Broadway. His show, “All New: A Pre-Broadway Comedy Workout” – which features his usual potent mix of political satire and insightful observations – will be performed at Feinstein’s before moving to the Great White Way. All performances are at the Regency Hotel (540 Park Avenue at 61st Street). JACKIE MASON, widely regarded as one of the greatest stand-up comics of all time, leaves audiences laughing until they cry and critics raving show after show. From humble comic beginnings in New York, the Borscht Belt, and comedy clubs around the country, he rose to be one the hottest comics in America in the early 1960’s. He reached the apex of American entertainment culture when he became a regular performer on the nation’s preeminent television variety program, “The Ed Sullivan Show,” only to fall into Sullivan’s disfavor over the interpretation of a now legendary hand gesture during a live performance in 1962, an incident which cast a shadow over Mason’s career for more than a decade. Mr. Mason first emerged from that shadow in Los Angeles, where his one-man show, “The World According to Me” originated in 1984 to wide acclaim. The show began its unprecedented two and a half year run on Broadway in December 1986 winning triumphant reviews and reestablishing Mason as one of the nation’s premier comics. The show earned Jackie Mason a Tony Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award, an Ace Award, an Emmy Award, and a Grammy nomination. It toured successfully in America and Europe for two years. Mason returned to Broadway in 1990 with “Jackie Mason: Brand New”; in 1994 with “Jackie Mason: Politically Incorrect”; in 1996 with “Love Thy Neighbor”; in 1999 with “Much Ado about Everything”; and in 2002 with “Prune Danish.” With each production a critical and commercial success, Jackie Mason made history in the theater industry and collected an impressive array of nominations and awards from the Outer Critics Circle, the Grammy’s, the Ace Awards and others. An HBO special, “Jackie Mason on Broadway”, earned him both an Emmy and an Ace Award. Over the years, Jackie Mason has appeared in a variety of films and television shows, most notably Caddyshack II which won him a new, younger, hipper urban following and the TV sitcom, “Chicken Soup.” Politics has long been a passion for Jackie Mason and he is well known for his tough and outspoken position on a variety of issues. Mason hosted a nationally syndicated radio talk show and together with his friend and collaborator, the divorce attorney Raoul Lionel Felder, he hosted both the weekly PBS talk television series “Crossing The Line” and BBC radio show “The Mason-Felder Report” three times each week. Mason and Felder also write together. In 1997, Avon Books released The Jackie Mason, Raoul Felder Survival Guide to New York. This followed Dove Books ‘Jackie Mason and Raoul Felder's Guide to New York and Los Angeles Restaurants in 1996. The authors have also been regular contributors to both The American Spectator and The Washington Times. FEINSTEIN’S AT THE REGENCY will play the following schedule for this engagement: Tuesday through Saturday at 8:30 PM with late shows on Friday and Saturday at 11:00 PM. All shows have a $75.00 cover and a $40.00 minimum. Jackets are suggested but not required. FEINSTEIN’S AT THE REGENCY is located at 540 Park Avenue at 61st Street in New York City. For ticket reservations and club information, please call (212) 339-4095 or visit us online at feinsteinsattheregency.com and TicketWeb.com. ---------------------------------- FEINSTEIN’S AT THE REGENCY UPCOMING ENGAGEMENTS BETTY BUCKLEY “Singin’ For My Supper” March 27 – April 7 DONNY OSMOND “Love Songs of the 70’s” April 24 – 28 LINDA EDER May 1 – 12 PETER GALLAGHER May 15 – June 2 MICHAEL FEINSTEIN “Michael Feinstein… Celebrating Bobby Short” May 15 – June 2 MARY WILSON “Up Close” June 19 – 30
Broadway By The Year 1938 Photo Coverage.
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 Christiane Noll and Aaron Lazar  Aaron Lazar- Who blew me away the entire evening. I could have listened to him forever!  (The cast of Broadway By The Year 1938)  (Sarah Uriarte Berry and Christiane Noll)  (Hugh Panaro)  (Sarah Uriarte Berry and Hugh Panaro)  (Hugh Panaro)  (Christiane Noll)  ( Martin Vidnovik)  (Barbara Walsh and Martin Vidnovik) I have been very fortunate to attend most of this series. The Year of 1938 brought some tunes that were positively stunning and this cast was one of the greatest casts to perform these beautiful songs. Aaron Lazar off mike was one of the most stunning things my ears have heard in my entire life. He sang "I can dream, can't I" from "Right This Way and it was one of the best numbers of the evening. Hugh Panaro's "My Heart is Unemployed" was another show stopper.(From "Sing Out The News") The funniest number of the night was performed by Martin Vidnovik, Hugh Panaro and Aaron Lazar called "The Dying Cowboy" It was hysterical. Of all the Broadway By The Years, this one had the least famous songs and the performances from each and every performer were incredible. Christiane Noll blew me away singing "Falling In Love With Love" from "The Boys From Syracuse" I was not alive in 1938 but this concert made me realize what a great year it was for music. I could have listened to this cast for 38 more years. Photos by Maryann Lopinto. Reviewed by Corine Cohen
Gala With Christine Ebersole and Billy Stritch. Do you have tickets?
 Photo by Maryann Lopinto PLAYWRIGHTS HORIZONS TO HOLD ITS ANNUAL “HIGH STANDARDS” GALA BENEFIT ON MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 16th AT GUASTAVINO’S EVENING TO STAR TONY AWARD WINNER & GREY GARDENS STAR CHRISTINE EBERSOLE WITH BILLY STRITCH Preview and preliminary bidding for special Silent Auction to begin online the week of March 26 at www.playwrightshorizons.org NEW YORK, NY – Acclaimed Off-Broadway theater company Playwrights Horizons (Tim Sanford, Artistic Director; Leslie Marcus, Managing Director) will hold its annual High Standards Gala Benefit on Monday evening, April 16th at Guastavino’s (409 East 59th Street). The evening will star Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole, the rapturously-acclaimed leading lady of the current hit Broadway musical Grey Gardens, which premiered at Playwrights Horizons last spring. For her performance in the musical, Ms. Ebersole received the Obie Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, a special Citation from the New York Drama Critics, and the Drama League’s 2006 Award for Performance of the Year, a distinction also bestowed on her by The New York Times and New York Magazine. At the Gala, Ms. Ebersole will perform with her longtime collaborator, jazz pianist and singer Billy Stritch. The two were recently honored by the 2007 Nightlife Awards as Outstanding Duo for their celebrated engagement at The Metropolitan Room last summer. The evening will also include a special Silent Auction. Preview and preliminary bidding will begin online the week of March 26 at www.playwrightshorizons.org. Auction items will include: · 2 tickets to 2 shows at New York Fashion Week · A 2-night stay at the luxury resort Acqualina in Sunny Isles Beach, FL · 2 tickets to Grey Gardens with an exclusive backstage tour · Dinner for 2 at such restaurants as Gramercy Tavern, B.R. Guest Restaurants, Josephina, and Chez Josephine · Getaway to a historic private home in Stratford-upon-Avon · Round of golf and lunch for 3 at the Westchester Country Club · Bracelet by red-hot jewelry designer David Yurman · A one-of-a-kind doghouse designed and custom built by the Playwrights Horizons production department · 2 rentals from the TDF Costume Collection for Halloween · Tickets to such Broadway shows as Talk Radio, Journey’s End, A Chorus Line, Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera Corporate Auction sponsors include: B.R. Guest Restaurants, Chez Josephine, David Yurman, Gramercy Tavern, IMG Sports & Entertainment, Inform Fitness, Josephina Restaurant, Sundance Channel, TDF Costume Collection, The Understudy LLC, Mansion Pictures, and Vineyard Vines®. Cocktails and Silent Auction will begin at 6:00 PM, followed by dinner at 7:45 PM. Ms. Ebersole and Mr. Stritch will perform beginning at 9PM. PLAYWRIGHTS HORIZONS, under the leadership of Artistic Director Tim Sanford and Managing Director Leslie Marcus, is a writer’s theater dedicated to the support and development of contemporary American playwrights, composers and lyricists, and to the production of their new work. In its 36 years, Playwrights Horizons has presented the work of more than 375 writers and has received numerous awards and honors. Notable productions include four Pulitzer Prize winners: Doug Wright’s I Am My Own Wife (2004 Tony Award, Best Play), Wendy Wasserstein’s The Heidi Chronicles (1989 Tony Award, Best Play), Alfred Uhry’s Driving Miss Daisy and Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Sunday in the Park with George, as well as Doug Wright, Scott Frankel and Michael Korie’s Grey Gardens (2006 Outer Critics Circle Award, Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical), Bruce Norris’s The Pain and the Itch, Lynn Nottage’s Fabulation (2005 Obie Award for Playwriting), Craig Lucas’s Small Tragedy (2004 Obie Award, Best American Play), Kenneth Lonergan’s Lobby Hero, Kirsten Childs’s The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin, Richard Nelson and Shaun Davey’s James Joyce’s The Dead, William Finn’s March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland, Christopher Durang’s Betty’s Summer Vacation and Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You, Richard Nelson’s Goodnight Children Everywhere and Franny’s Way, Jon Robin Baitz’s The Substance of Fire, Scott McPherson’s Marvin’s Room, A.R. Gurney’s Later Life, Adam Guettel and Tina Landau’s Floyd Collins and Jeanine Tesori and Brian Crawley’s Violet. CHRISTINE EBERSOLE received the Obie Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, a special Citation from the New York Drama Critics and the Drama League’s 2006 Award for Performance of the Year for her dual roles as Edith and Edie Beale in Grey Gardens. Her Broadway credits include Steel Magnolias, Dinner at Eight (Tony and Outer Critics Circle nominations), 42nd Street (2001 Tony and Outer Critics Circle awards), The Best Man, Getting Away with Murder, Harrigan ‘n Hart, Camelot (opposite Richard Burton and Richard Harris), Oklahoma!, On the Twentieth Century, I Love My Wife, and Angel Street. Off-Broadway credits include Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads (2003 Obie and Outer Critics Circle awards, Drama Desk nom.), Three Sisters, Geniuses, and four Encores! concerts. Regional credits include Much Ado About Nothing (Old Globe), Mame, Evita, My Fair Lady, The Marriage of Bette and Boo, and Laughing Wild. Films include Tootsie, Amadeus, Dead Again, Richie Rich, Black Sheep, Folks!, True Crime, Till There Was You, My Favorite Martian, Thief of Hearts, and My Girl 2. Television includes “Saturday Night Live” (series regular 81-82 season), “Gypsy” with Bette Midler, “One Life to Live” (Emmy nom.), “Ryan’s Hope,” “The Cavanaughs” (with the late great Barnard Hughes), “Valerie,” “Ink,” “Related” and guest appearances on “Will & Grace,” “Just Shoot Me,” “Murphy Brown” and “Ally McBeal.” CD’s include In Your Dreams, Live at the Cinegrill with Billy Stritch, and the newly-released Grey Gardens. Visit Christine at www.christineebersole.com. Pianist and singer BILLY STRITCH is one of the premier performers on the jazz and nightclub scene. His many albums include Billy Stritch, Waters of March, Jazz Live, and In Your Dreams (the latter with Christine Ebersole). Stritch has performed all over the United States and internationally in such famed venues as Rainbow and Stars, The Russian Tea Room, The Palais de Congres in Paris, The Municipale in Rio de Janeiro, The Russiya in Moscow, NHK Hall in Tokyo, and The Royal Albert Hall in London. He also appeared with Chita Rivera and Tommy Tune in a tribute to Jule Styne at the Palladium in London. He made his Broadway debut as Oscar in the Tony-winning revival of 42nd Street. At Broadway’s legendary Palace Theatre, he was arranger, vocal arranger, and musical supervisor for Liza Minnelli’s Minnelli on Minnelli and co-produced the live recording with Phil Ramone. Stritch also served as musical supervisor and vocal arranger for Minnelli’s Liza Live from Radio City Music Hall, and writes arrangements for her concert appearances. He was associate producer, pianist, and arranger for her album Gently, which earned two 1996 Grammy nominations. Stritch also frequently performs in concert with Christine Ebersole. He and Sandy Knox wrote the 1994 Grammy Award-winning song “Does He Love You?,” which was recorded by Reba McEntire and sold over four million copies. His many television appearances include “Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall,” “The Today Show,” “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “The Charlie Rose Show,” and “The Rosie O’Donnell Show.” Ticket prices for the Gala Benefit start at $800 and can be reserved by calling Cynthia Flowers, Development Associate, at (212) 564-1235 extension 3145, or Jill Garland, Director of Development, at extension 3140. www.playwrightshorizons.org
Broadway By The Year 1938 With Scott Siegel!
 Monday, March 26, 2007 All events are subject to change. Tickets that are available at The Town Hall Box Office (123 West 43rd Street) are usually available for purchase three weeks prior to the performance date. For information 24/7 phone 212/840-2824 this number will list all tickets available at the Box Office. Tickets may be available on Ticketmaster earlier than three weeks prior to the actual performance, call 212/307-4100 or visit them on-line at www.ticketmaster.com. Date: (Mon) March 26 at 8 pm Event: BROADWAY BY THE YEAR: 1938 Description: Featuring songs from The Cradle Will Rock, Right This Way, I Married An Angel, Hellzapoppin, Knickerbocker Holiday, Leave it to Me, The Boys From Syracuse and more! Ticket Price: $50, $45 & $40 Where to get Tickets: On sale at The Town Hall Box Office and Ticketmaster. Click here to get a subscription form and pay by check. Producer: Created, written and hosted for The Town Hall by Scott Siegel Date: (Fri) March 30 at 8 pm Event: A COMPÀS! PACO PEÑA DANCE COMPANY Description: A Compás!, blends a range of flamenco rhythms, from the almost tribal, trance-inducing quality of the alboreá to the razor-sharp complexity of the bulería. This newest presentation creates an unstoppable pulse that can not only be seen but felt, spotlighting the dancer in that magical moment where music meets the soul. The dancer is at one with the music, and the result is mesmerizing and electrifying as everyone gets "into the rhythm," or "a compás!" Featuring Flamenco guitarist Paco Peña and his company of singers, dancers, and guitarists. Ticket Price: $40 & $37.50 Where to get Tickets: Pay by check using our convenient mail order form. Just click here to get one.To charge with a credit card - online at Ticketmaster or by phone 212.307.4100 or purchase in person at The Town Hall Box Office . Producer: Part of The Town Hall Not Just Jazz series Date: (Sat) March 31 at 5:45 pm Event: A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION with GARRISON KEILLOR Description: Join Garrison Keillor, Sue SCott, Tim Russell, Sound Effects Guru Fred Neman and guy's All-Star Show Band for "A Prairie Home Companion". Ticket Price: $62 & 56 Where to get Tickets: Internet Pre-sale: Tuesday, January 16 at 12:00 PM to Friday, January 19 @ 5:00 PM (CT) at prairiehome.org. On sale at The Town Hall Box Office and Ticketmaster on Sunday, February 25 at noon. Producer: Praire Home
Culinary Corner- The Russian Tea Room.
     For the past eighty years, New York’s defining cultural moments have taken place at Russian Tea Room. Ever since members of the Russian Imperial Ballet founded the restaurant in 1927, it has been a second home for boldface names and the intellectual elite—an exclusive enclave where actors, writers, politicians, and businessmen planned their next deals and feted their friends’ latest Carnegie Hall performances. The RTR Funding Group, Inc., reopened The Russian Tea Room’s doors, retaining the best of its history, authenticity, and architecture while offering culinary masterworks and a menu of forty vodkas that includes varieties new to the United States. (The Russian Tea Room Website) I had the pleasure of dining at the Russian Tea Room on Friday. I used to dine there a lot many years ago and was excited about my dining experience. The service is exceptional. They make you feel like A CZAR or in my case a Queen. Food: 9-10 Service: 10-10 Price: Expensive but worth it. I had the smoked salmon (19) appetizer which was truly incredible! The Lobster salad(28)which was giant pieces of lobster served out of it's shell over greens with avocado. The Russian Tea Room is a romantic spot and a great place to take a loved one that you want to impress. The place is magnificent and I felt like I was royalty if only for two hours. The best part about this restaurant is the elegance and grandeur. This is a place to pop the question or celebrate a special occassion. It is fit for a Queen and King. Reservations: 212.581.7100 info@russiantearoomnyc.com 150 West 57th Street Ave. NY, New York 10019 Photo coverage coming soon.
Grey Gardens CD!
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 (Ebersole at Bloomingdale's- Photo by Maryann Lopinto) I want a copy of this!!!! Don't you?! “The songs from GREY GARDENS sustain a level of refined language and psychological detail as elevated as Stephen Sondheim’s. A meticulously-fashioned piece of musical theater that gains in depth the more you listen to it.” -Stephen Holden, The New York Times (February 9, 2007 ) ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING OF THE ACCLAIMED HIT MUSICAL TO BE RELEASED BY PS CLASSICS STARTING TUESDAY, MARCH 27 New Broadway CD to receive exclusive early WebRelease at www.psclassics.com on March 27th with retail and all other online outlets to follow in mid-April The Original Broadway Cast Recording of the acclaimed hit musical GREY GARDENS – crowned the #1 Show of the Year by Time Magazine – will be available starting Tuesday, March 27. Recorded February 13 on PS Classics, the album is produced by multiple Grammy winner Steven Epstein (The Light in the Piazza). The initial release will be offered exclusively online at www.psclassics.com. In a unique development, the Original Broadway Cast Recording will replace the currently-available World Premiere Recording, also released by the Grammy-nominated label and featuring the Off-Broadway cast, based on the musical’s original run at Playwrights Horizons. The new recording will feature the Broadway cast and preserve the significant changes made for the Broadway production by author Doug Wright, composer Scott Frankel and lyricist Michael Korie. This includes four new songs (“The Girl Who Has Everything,” “Goin’ Places,” “Marry Well” and the new ending), one previously unrecorded track (“The Telegram”) and all-new performances on several previously-recorded songs (including “Mother, Darling,” “Peas in a Pod” and “Daddy’s Girl”). In addition, the entire album has been completely remixed and remastered. The new recording will also feature an all-new, 32-page color booklet with complete lyrics and new photos. While the new CD will initially be available exclusively online at the PS Classics website, it will eventually become available at all stores and online retailers (including Virgin Megastores, Barnes & Noble, Best Buy, Amazon and iTunes) during the month of April. PS Classics expects the new CD to be available everywhere by April 15th. Once supplies of the old CD have run out, that recording will then go out of print. In a rave review for the score in The New York Times, Stephen Holden wrote, “To listen to the original cast album of GREY GARDENS is to bring to mind two phrases seldom linked nowadays: ‘Broadway musical’ and ‘artistic integrity.’ The songs, with music by Scott Frankel and lyrics by Michael Korie, sustain a level of refined language and psychological detail as elevated as Stephen Sondheim’s. The score is a meticulously fashioned piece of musical theater that gains in depth the more you listen to it.” The GREY GARDENS score recently won The ASCAP Foundation’s Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award for composer Scott Frankel and lyricist Michael Korie, and was also nominated for Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards. PS CLASSICS, the Grammy-nominated label, was founded in 2000 by Tommy Krasker and Philip Chaffin. It’s been profiled in publications such as The New York Times for its diverse line of show albums, solo CDs and songbook recordings. Its cast albums celebrate Broadway (Assassins, Nine: The Musical, Fiddler on the Roof, the recently-released Company), Off-Broadway (My Life with Albertine, Lone Star Love) and regional theater (First Lady Suite). Its solo albums range from jazz (Jessica Molaskey’s Make Believe) to pop (Johnny Rodgers’s Box of Photographs) to folk (Rebecca Luker’s Leaving Home). The composers highlighted range from Jerome Moross and Billy Strayhorn to Maury Yeston and John Bucchino. PS Classics is distributed exclusively by Image Entertainment. BACKGROUND ON GREY GARDENS Following a sold-out world premiere last spring at Playwrights Horizons, the new musical GREY GARDENS opened on Broadway on Thursday, November 2 at The Walter Kerr Theatre (219 West 48th Street) to rave reviews, lead by Ben Brantley in The New York Times, who called it “An experience no passionate theatergoer should miss!” Starring Tony Award winner Christine Ebersole and Tony Award nominee Mary Lousie Wilson, it has since appeared on over 25 “Best of 2006” lists, including #1 Show of the Year (Time), Best Musical of the Year (USA Today, Entertainment Weekly) and Performance of the Year (The New York Times, New York) for Ms. Ebersole. Based on the legendary 1975 documentary Grey Gardens (by David Maysles, Albert Maysles, Ellen Hovde, Muffie Meyer & Susan Froemke – a Maysles Brothers Films Inc. Production), GREY GARDENS features a book by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Doug Wright (I Am My Own Wife, the film Quills – based on his play), music by Scott Frankel (musical director for Broadway’s Falsettos, Putting It Together) and lyrics by Michael Korie (Harvey Milk). Directed by Tony Award nominee and Obie winner Michael Greif (Rent), the production has musical staging by Tony Award nominee Jeff Calhoun (Big River, Grease!). GREY GARDENS is produced by East of Doheny, Staunch Entertainment, Randall Wreghitt/Mort Swinsky, Michael Alden and Edwin W. Schloss, in association with Playwrights Horizons. Not since Mama Rose and Gypsy has there been a mother/daughter act as hilarious, as heartbreaking and as utterly unforgettable as Edith and Edie Beale – Jackie Kennedy’s most outrageous relatives – in Broadway’s acclaimed musical smash GREY GARDENS. From the grandeur of an East Hampton high society party in 1941 to the sensational tabloid headlines that rocked the Kennedy clan in 1973, GREY GARDENS is scandalously entertaining. This witty and passionate ride features Christine Ebersole’s already-legendary performance and breaks new ground as the first musical ever based on a documentary. Step into the world of GREY GARDENS and see the other side of Camelot. Critics have praised the Broadway production as “An experience no passionate theatergoer should miss” (Ben Brantley, The New York Times), “One of the first must-sees of the season” (Jacques le Sourd, The Journal News), “A brilliantly twisted, bizarrely beautiful, madly entertaining musical” (Michael Sommers, The Star-Ledger), “A funny and poignant riches-to-rags story with a glorious score” (Joe Dziemianowicz, Daily News), “Excellent – a darkly thrilling, quirky and heartbreaking musical” (David Cote, NY1 News) and “An extraordinary and compassionate musical, elegant and grand and high risk” (Lisa Carlin, WCBS News Radio). Praising the show for Rolling Stone, Peter Travers called it, “Hilarious AND heartbreaking. That shot in the arm for theater lovers who’ve longed for something bold, haunting and hypnotic to get lost in. GREY GARDENS is more than a unique and unmissable musical: IT’S A GIFT!” Critics have unanimously bestowed legendary status on the performance of leading lady Christine Ebersole (who actually gives two performances in the musical: as Edith Beale in Act One and her daughter ‘Little’ Edie in Act Two). Ben Brantley of The New York Times called it, “Possibly the greatest performance I’ve ever seen in a musical,” and “The best argument I can think of for the survival of the American musical. This is what people go to the theater for!” New York proclaimed it the Performance of the Year, exclaiming, “YES! – her performance really is as good as you’ve heard. A performance as close to perfect as anybody has a right to expect.” The New York Sun called it “The Performance of a Lifetime,” Time Out declared, “The phenomenal Christine Ebersole officially joins the musical theater pantheon” and Variety proclaimed it “The kind of performance that comes around once in a decade and will be talked about for decades more. A staggering dual performance sure to become a new benchmark for musical theater excellence. This miraculous turn deserves every superlative thrown its way!” Ms. Ebersole swept the 2006 Spring Theater awards, winning a Drama Desk Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award, an Obie, a special citation from the New York Drama Critics Circle and the Drama League’s 2006 Distinguished Performance of the Year Award. Joining Ms. Ebersole and Ms. Wilson are five-time Tony Award nominee John McMartin (Follies, Show Boat, Into the Woods) as both ‘Major’ Bouvier and Norman Vincent Peale; Matt Cavenaugh (Urban Cowboy, national tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie, “One Life to Live”) as both Joe Kennedy, Jr. and Jerry; Erin Davie as Young ‘Little’ Edie Beale (the national tours of Swing! and The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber); Kelsey Fowler as Lee Bouvier (in her Broadway debut); Sarah Hyland (title role in Paper Mill’s Annie) as Jacqueline Bouvier; Obie Award winner Michael Potts (Lennon) as Brooks Sr. and Brooks Jr.; and two-time Tony Award nominee Bob Stillman (Dirty Blonde, Grand Hotel) as Gould. The Broadway production of GREY GARDENS reunites the original creative and design team, featuring scenic design by Allen Moyer, costume design by five-time Tony Award winner William Ivey Long, lighting design by Tony Award winner Peter Kaczorowski, sound design by Brian Ronan, projections by Wendall K. Harrington and hair and wig design by Paul Huntley. Orchestrations are by Tony Award winner Bruce Coughlin and Music Director is Lawrence Yurman. Since the documentary’s premiere at the New York Film Festival in 1975 and its initial theatrical release in 1976, Grey Gardens and The Beales have achieved iconic status in American popular culture. The real ‘Little’ Edie (1917-2002) influenced a generation of fashion designers – including Isaac Mizrahi, Todd Oldham, John Bartlett and Calvin Klein – with her extraordinary, singular style and fierce individuality. Through the years, major magazines from Vogue and Elle to Harper’s Bazaar and Entertainment Weekly have cited Edie as a trend-setter, and references to Grey Gardens have popped up on “Will & Grace” and “The L Word” and in the music of Rufus Wainwright. The musical GREY GARDENS is part of a resurgent interest in the Grey Gardens phenomenon. The musical was the first project celebrating the 30th anniversary of the film, and was followed by the Maysles Brothers recently-released companion movie The Beales of Grey Gardens (featuring previously-unseen outtakes from the original documentary, now playing at art houses across the country and recently released on DVD as part of The Criterion Collection), plus several upcoming books (including a collection of Edie’s original writings) and a future Hollywood feature based on the documentary. GREY GARDENS had its world premiere Off-Broadway at Playwrights Horizons last Spring. It completely sold out its entire initial limited engagement before it even opened, and went on to sell out an additional three extensions, becoming one of the theater company’s most successful productions. In addition to the awards bestowed on Christine Ebersole, the musical’s many honors include: the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical; a 2006 Richard Rodgers Production Award, administered by the American Academy of Arts and Letters; being named one of Best Plays’ “Ten Best” of the 2005-2006 season (the only musical cited); The ASCAP Foundation’s Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award for composer Scott Frankel and lyricist Michael Korie; and an Obie Award for set designer Allen Moyer. Tickets are available by going online to www.telecharge.com, calling (212) 239-6200 or visiting The Walter Kerr Theatre box office (219 West 48th Street). Balcony seats are only available in person at the box office. www.greygardensthemusical.com AUTHOR BIOGRAPHIES DOUG WRIGHT (Book) received the Pulitzer Prize, a Tony Award, the Drama Desk Award, a GLAAD Media Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award, a Drama League Award and a Lucille Lortel Award for I Am My Own Wife, which premiered at Playwrights Horizons in 2003. For Grey Gardens, he was nominated for Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Book of a Musical. In 1995, Doug won an Obie Award for his play Quills. His screen adaptation was named Best Picture by the National Board of Review and nominated for three Academy Awards. Plays include: The Stonewater Rapture, Interrogating the Nude, Watbanaland and Unwrap Your Candy. For career achievement, Doug was cited by the American Academy of Arts and Letters and awarded the Tolerance Prize from the Kulturforum Europa. He serves on the board of the New York Theater Workshop and the Dramatist Guild Council. SCOTT FRANKEL (Music) was nominated for Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for his work on Grey Gardens. He’s written the music for Doll (Ravinia Festival; Richard Rodgers Award) and Meet Mister Future (winner, Global Search for New Musicals), both with lyricist/librettist Michael Korie. As a music director, conductor and pianist, he has been associated with the original Broadway productions of Into the Woods, Les Misérables, Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, Rags and Falsettos, as well as Off-Broadway’s Putting It Together starring Julie Andrews. Motion picture credits include Mike Nichols’ Postcards From the Edge, where he can be seen (and heard) playing for Meryl Streep and Shirley MacLaine. His many recordings include Barbra Streisand’s Back to Broadway and a slew of original cast albums. Mr. Frankel is the recipient of the ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award, a two-time fellow of the MacDowell Colony and a graduate of Yale University. MICHAEL KORIE (Lyrics) was nominated for Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for his work on Grey Gardens. He wrote book and lyrics to Scott Frankel’s music for Doll (Sundance Institute, Chicago’s Ravinia Festival; Richard Rodgers Award) and Meet Mister Future (Cardiff Festival, 2005). His librettos for operas composed by Stewart Wallace include Harvey Milk (San Francisco Opera) and Hopper’s Wife (Long Beach Opera; NYFA Award) both directed by Christopher Alden; Kabbalah (Next Wave Festival) directed by Ann Carlson; and Where’s Dick? directed by Richard Foreman (Houston Grand Opera). His libretto to composer Ricky Ian Gordon’s The Grapes of Wrath premieres at Minnesota Opera, Utah Opera and Houston Grand Opera in 2007-8 with direction by Eric Simonson, conducted by Grant Gershon. He co-wrote lyrics with Amy Powers to composer Lucy Simon’s Zhivago, book by Michael Weller, directed by Des McAnuff (La Jolla Playhouse, 2006). Korie’s lyrics were awarded The Edward Kleban Award and Jonathan Larson Foundation Award.
Congratulations, Jennifer Simard!
    I heard today from Jennifer Simard, Drama Desk nominee for Forbidden Broadway SVU. She has been cast in Spelling Bee as part of the Broadway cast. I am so happy that she will be in a Broadway show. She deserves it and it could not have happened to a more deserving star. Does a dance of joy! Photos 1-3 Maryann Lopinto Broadway By The Year photo 4:Joan Marcus: Forbidden Broadway SVU. Cheers to Jennifer!
Spring Awakening Display At Bloomingdale's!
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  I got an email today from one of the Producers of the hit show Spring Awakening today. Check out an amazing display! Photos by Judy Abrams. If you miss it, it will be a "BITCH" and you will be "Totally Fucked" (Just quoting from one of the greatest musicals currently on Broadway) ;-)
Culinary Corner Celeb Corner- Gary Maffei (Producer)
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   Maffei Productions LLC has produced The Children, a New York Music Festival show, and is involved with Lonely Street, Legally Blonde, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and HATS! . Past involvement includes The Drowsy Chaperone (5 TONY awards), The Wedding Singer (8 TONY nominations), Once Around the Sun, (producer), Brooklyn the Musical (associate producer)(Drama League nomination), NEWSical (associate producer)(2 Drama Desk nominations), Fanny Hill (associate producer) (2 Drama Desk Nominations), Chita Rivera--The Dancer's Life (TONY nomination), A Broadway Diva Christmas and Matza Boy - The Incredible Journey of Mark Schoenfeld.(executive producer) Gary Maffei is a graduate of the Commercial Theatre Institute and a member of the Drama League and Players Club. Has been a producer, writer and principal in numerous PSAs and short films. (Maffei Productions website) I most recently met Gary covering his QSAC benefit. It was a fabulous event and he is a fabulous Producer. I decided to ask Gary where is his favorite place to eat! His favorite dish is from Camino Sur (next door to the Zipper Theater) The dish is called Post Negra which is: short ribs braised with panela, cinnamon, cloves red wine, with celery root puree. For more information: http://www.caminosur.com Thank you, Gary!
Seth's Chatterbox- Spring Awakening Photo Coverage
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     Seth's Broadway Chatterbox is a one hour weekly talk show hosted by Seth Rudetsky. The show features sassy Broadway celebrities and happens on stage Thursday evenings @ 6 PM at Don't Tell Mama (343 West 46th St. in New York City, between 8th & 9th Avenues). The cost is $10 (which is donated directly to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids) plus a 2 drink minimum. Call 212-757-0788 for reservations. (Seth's Website) Photo coverage of Spring Awakening male leads: Jonathan Groff and John Gallagher who were charming and won over the audience. Jonathan Groff told a cute story about his love for Sutton Foster and "Throughly Modern Millie" and how Sutton bought the cast bagels. Very sweet. Photos by Maryann Lopinto
Harvey Fierstein Returning !!!!! Woo!!!!
This article made my day. I love Harvey Fierstein!!!!! http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/nyc/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003561608
Culinary Corner Celeb Corner (MARK NADLER)
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 Mark Nadler wrote in to me today so I decided to publish his email. I plan on doing a feature once a month so all of you celebs, please write in and tell me what restaurants you love! I will feature it on my blog! Mark Nadler is the first!!! I'm about to do something I NEVER do: recommend a restaurant. One of the best things about living in New York is that there are very special little jewels and when you know about them, you feel like a REAL New Yorker! One of those is a place to have High Tea at a low tariff. (They also have delicious breakfast and lunch.) The place is charming, has a really pleasant staff and the best scones I've ever had -- not to mention any kind of tea you can imagine and many that you could never have imagined! It's really a unique and fun place and I hope I'll see you often at: ALICE'S TEA CUP 64th St., just East of Lexington Ave. Manhattan. --Mark Nadler P.S. I also hope I'll see you at the Algonquin where, for the next four weeks KT Sullivan and I are performing our Comden and Green tribute:
Remembering Patrick Quinn
I have been working for the Drama Desk for the last five years. During the past few years I have been working and chatting with Patrick Quinn, our announcer. He was always a sweetheart to me and I will miss him terribly this year. He is in my thoughts and prayers. I will miss our talks and our joshing around at the Awards. Corine Go to his memorial: Info: http://www.theatermania.com/content/news.cfm/story/10337
Madame With AN E For Engaging, Enticing and Excellent!
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     I went to see Joe Kovacs perform with Madame. I give it an E for enticing, excellent and engaging. I had a blast! Madame even promoted my website!!!! I advise that you see it! Check out the photos by Maryann Lopinto. I love Madame. Bravo and Brava!
Madame is BACK!!!!!
 Last year, I had the great benefit of interviewing my favorite MADAME! Since the beautiful puppet is returning, I thought I would post the interview. Go see Madame on March 20th, April 3rd, April 17th and May 1st and May 15th! Tell them Corine sent you. I love Madame! Madame with an E. Is she trying to copy Jackie with a Z? Or Liza with a Z? I give Madame with an E an E for Entertaining Excellence!!!!! She is very funny. Read our hysterical banter. (Or she will pop you one) (343 West 46th Street, NYC - 1-212-757-0788 - http://www.donttellmama.com/ ) on Tuesdays March 20th, April 3rd & 17th and May 1st & 15th at 9:00 pm. Corine Cohen Talks to Madame and Joe Kovacs! Written by Corine Dana Cohen Corine Cohen : Madame, you don't realize what a great thrill it is to interview you. I have been a longtime fan of yours. I even watched Solid Gold just because of you. It has been eighteen years. Thank heavens you're back. Tell me, what is your favorite show on Broadway today? Madame: Why thank you Corine, at my age it's good just to be seen. As for a favorite Broadway musical, it's a toss up between "The Drowsy Chaperone" in which I'd love to play "Man in Chair with Old Broad on Lap" and "Jersey Boys." Cause Honey, I'll take four boys for the price of one any day. Corine: Can you please tell me about your fantastic new show in Chelsea. You are fabulous darling! Madame: Well, I don't want to give too much away. If you give it away, they call you cheap and easy. Let me just say there will be something old, something new, something borrowed and something very, very blue ... if you get my drift. Corine. Have you ever been the center square with Diller? Tell me, is Dame Edna your favorite Diva? Or is it Diller? Inquiring minds want to know. Madame: The only person I have ever shared a Hollywood Square with was Wayland Flowers. Now, if you want to know if Phyllis Diller was in one of the other squares around me? Honey, that was thirty years ago. I can't remember who was around me in bed last night. Phyllis Diller and I go way, way back. We've swapped just about everything but spit. As for Dame Edna, I don't know her personally, but I love just about anything from... Down Under. Corine: Let's talk about sex. If you could do anyone who would it be and why? Madame: Talk about SEX?? I'd rather do it than talk about it. If Heath Ledger's Mountain is available, I'd break my back on it. I've always had a thing for blondes. Corine: Madame, you are killing me. You are so funny! Who has inspired you? Madame: Well ... let's see, I've drawn inspiration from many. I sing like Ethel Merman, joke like Dorothy Parker, smoke like Marlene Dietrich and dance like that Hippo in Fantasia. Corine: Tell me, you were on Hollywood Squares, do you have any dirt on Bruce Vilanch? Madame: I was on Hollywood Squares years before Bruce moved into a Square. I've known him for years and he's always been a gentleman, a real man's man - sweet, funny and very generous. Corine: He is one of the funniest writers out there! Any news you can share about your new partner, Joe? Madame: Well, I spent a few years trying out new partners. I felt like Goldilocks... in my case I guess it would be, Oldilocks. One was too hard. One was too soft. This one is just right. I love a man with talented hands and he ain't bad to look at either. Corine: You are making me blush! Let's talk about our current President. What do you think of him? Madame: Honey, the only "Bush" I'm concerned with is my own. Now Teddy Roosevelt, there was a real hunk! Corine: What are your views on Gay Marriage? Madame: I don't see what all the fuss is about. Many of my best girlfriends have married gay men. As Doris Day sang, “Que Sera, Sera.” Corine: Tell me about your favorite thing about New York? Madame: The nightlife in New York City keeps me going. I love to go out and enjoy myself ... and I've let quite a few people enjoy me as well. New York may be the City that never sleeps, but, confidentially, my New York naps a hell of a lot. Corine: Thank you, Madame. We are looking forward to seeing you at the Cutting Room on July 17th at 8. Maybe, you can introduce me to the man with the talented hands. You are a star, honey. And I can't wait to see you! Catch Madame at Don't Tell Mama!
Nightlife Awards
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 (Photo Lennie Watts and Mary Bond Davis by Maryann Lopinto)  (Photo- Scott Siegel by Maryann Lopinto) On January 29th,I attended the Town Hall for The NightlifeAwards 2007 for the first time ever. Making the Awards at all was a tough decision as I had also nabbed an invite to the "Rockers on Broadway" musical event that same evening. I compromised; I decided to cover both. (Stay tuned for video coverage of Rockers at the first rehearsal!)(I interviewed Kathy Brier, Norm Lewis, Titus Burgess and more) Barbara and Scott Siegel, the prolific theater authors and journalists, hosted the event with their production company Siegel Presents and gathered together over thirty of their compatriots to nominate and vote for the best and brightest of cabaret, jazz, and comedy club performance in New York City! Cabaret's always been very close to my heart and happily, I've been covering a lot of it lately, so much so in fact, that I had seen many of the shows that went home with awards this year—Christine Ebersole's, Lisa Asher's and many more! The performers also were instructed not only to refrain from giving acceptance speeches, and instead did what they did best and busted out selections from their prodigious ouevre. Here's the complete list of winners (with the finalists they were up against) for this year: Outstanding Cabaret Female Vocalist in a Major Engagement: Jessica Molaskey (Finalists: Diahann Carroll, Eartha Kitt) Outstanding Cabaret Male Vocalist in a Major Engagement: John Pizzarelli (Finalists: Michael Feinstein, Jack Jones) Outstanding Duo/Group Cabaret Performance in a Major Engagement: Christine Ebersole & Billy Stritch (Finalists: Ashford & Simpson, Molaskey & Frishberg) Outstanding Cabaret Female Vocalist: Lisa Asher (Finalists: Lina Koutrakos, Karen Oberlin) Outstanding Cabaret Male Vocalist: Scott Coulter (Finalists: Patrick DeGennaro, Dane Vannatter) Outstanding Cabaret Musical Comedy/Characterization Performance: Lorinda Lisitza (Finalists: Micaela Leon, Jay Rogers) Outstanding Cabaret Revue/Group/Variety Performance: Tom Andersen, Scott Coulter, Tim Di Pasqua (Finalists: Eric Comstock/Barbara Fasano, Jamie deRoy & Friends) Outstanding Cabaret Piano Bar Performance: David Colbert (Finalists: Elaine Brier, Gerry Deiffenbach) Outstanding Female Standup Comedian: Sarah Silverman (Finalists: Jessica Kirson, Lisa Lampanelli) Outstanding Male Standup Comedian: Demetri Martin (Finalists: David Attell, Zach Galiafinakas) Outstanding Unique/Group Comedy Performance: TJ & Dave (Finalist: Nick Kroll & John Mulaney, Braunholer & Schaal) Outstanding Female Jazz Vocalistt: Paula West (Finalists: Carol Sloane, Annie Ross) Outstanding Male Jazz Vocalist: Freddy Cole (Finalists: Dave Frishberg, Eric Comstock) Outstanding Jazz Soloist: Cedar Walton (Finalists: Paul Motian, Toots Thielemans) Outstanding Jazz Combo Performance: Ben Riley's Monk Legacy Septet (Finalists: Roy Haynes, Microscopic Septet) Deserving applause should go to the Siegels, our gracious hosts, for yet again recognizing these talented acts and promoting the arts of cabaret, comedy and jazz that keep this city alive and hopping after dark. I love it all and had a great time at the event and highly advise that you fans like me make a date with this next year. For more information on the NightlifeAwards you can go to: http://www.siegelpresents.com/nightlife-awards/2007.htm Scott Siegel starts his "Town Hall Broadway by the Year" series Feb. 26 with the famous musicals of 1928 featuring songs from "The Three Musketeers", "The Greenwich Village Follies", "Present Arms", "Blackbirds of 1928", "Grand Street Follies", "The New Moon", "Paris", "Animal Crackers", "Whoopee" and more, performed by such luminaries as Joyce Chittick and Malcolm Gets. Additionally, you can see more photos in my multimedia section: http://www.corinescorner.com/media/NightlifeAwards.htm Labels: 2007, January 29th
Hello
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I got a few emails asking what happened to my blogs on Sat and Sunday. I was not feeling my best this weekend especially today. Sorry, sometimes even I have a sick day. The saddest thing was I got very sick today and had to miss David Gurland's show (With my pal, Eddie Varley) I was planning on being there but it was good I missed it. The way I feel, I might not post tomorrow. See you, when I feel better. Ciao, Corine
Hairspray Film Blog
 Art by Sam Norkin I have heard some good buzz on the Hairspray film. In the beginning, I was a bit disappointed that they did not use Harvey, Bruce Vilanch, Kerry Butler, Matt Morrison, Chester Gregory and Kathy Brier and let's not forget Mary Bond Davis and Jackie Hoffman!!!! But, BEING A GIANT HAIR HOPPER, I decided to let my feelings go and to keep an open mind. Why? I love the film and the musical and I want it to succeed. Hopefully, Marc Shaiman can add some of the original cast into the film or maybe even use them for a short before the movie. That would be fun. Hope to hear the bells....
After Party- Naked Eye Planets... McGee's
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    Cast member Brandon Collinsworth, Coyote REP Artistic Director & cast member Jeanne LaSala, Coyote REP Producing Director & cast member Glenn Kalison, The Naked Eye Planets Director Magdalena Zira and The Naked Eye Planets Playwright Rebecca Tourino Additional shots of the cast having fun! For more info and for tickets go to: http://www.coyoterep.org Photos by Maryann Lopinto
Never Wear Red Shoes On A Thursday- Christine Ebersole Bloomingdale's Event!
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The Leading Lady. MTC.
I bought a ticket to Charles Busch's new show at MTC. It is hysterical, campy and a lot of zany fun. What else would you expect from Charles Busch. The cast is wonderful, especially the woman who plays a black slave dressed as a chinese woman to escape slavery. Everytime the Leading Lady spoke, I imagined Charles in that role. I could hear his voice! It was really funny and a bit strange. She is very good but Charles would be better. After seeing him in "Vampire Lesbians of Sodom" the reunion benefit last year it made me realize what a talented performer he is! This past week, I saw him perform a piece in drag called the "Step Mother" which was also proof of how he is a really incredible drag performer. I can't get enough of him in drag and wished that he was indeed the "Leading Lady" in MTC'S newest production at Stage 11.
Voices From The Great White Way!!!!
This series sounds fantastic. In addition, have a Cosmo if you're of age and eat. The food at this theater is incredible. I will be doing a review of the Westbank Cafe very soon. The Laurie Beechman Theatre is very pleased to present Voices from the Great White Way A new series featuring one night only concerts from some of Broadway’s most thrilling performers Mondays, April 9, 23, 30 @ 7pm NEW YORK – The Laurie Beechman Theatre is pleased to announce an exciting new series: Voices from the Great White Way. Beginning in April, we’ll be celebrating some of the most thrilling voices from Broadway in our intimate theatre located in the heart of New York’s Theatre District. The schedule is as follows: Monday, April 9: Nikki Renee Daniels (Les Miserables) Monday, April 23: Kristy Cates (Wicked) Monday, April 30: Farah Alvin (Nine) Please plan to join us for what will be three memorable evenings. All performances begin at 7pm. There is a $20 cover charge for each performance, as well as a $15 food/beverage minimum (there is a full bar and dinner menu available). The Laurie Beechman Theatre is located within The West Bank Café, 407 West 42nd St. (@9th Ave). For reservations, which are necessary, please call 212 695 6909 between the hours of noon and 6pm, or e-mail beechmantheatre@aol.com. NIKKI RENEE DANIELS Broadway: Les Miserables, Lestat, Nine, Aida, Little Shop of Horrors and The Look of Love. New York City Opera: Porgy and Bess (Clara). Regional credits include Anything Goes (Hope) at Williamstown Theatre Festival; Beauty and the Beast (Belle) at North Shore Music Theatre and Sacramento Music Circus; Dorian (Celia Vane) at the Denver Center and Ragtime (Sarah) at North Shore Music Theatre. Nikki has performed as a soloist with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. KRISTY CATES is best known for playing the role of Elphaba in the smash hit musical, Wicked. She made her Broadway debut as a member of the original Broadway cast (as, among other things, “the woman with the parasol” in the Emerald City). Kristy was the original understudy to Idina Menzel, and filled in for an injured Stephanie Block for several weeks in Toronto, the first stop of the Wicked National Tour. Recently, Kristy returned to New York, following a nearly twelve month run as Elphaba in the Chicago production of the mega-hit. Other New York credits include Princess Ida and her acclaimed portrayal of Ruth Wallis in the off-Broadway production of Boobs! The Musical. Kristy has also appeared at the St. Louis MUNY, The Lucille Lortel White Barn Theatre, North Bay Opera, The Playhouse on the Green and The Eugene O’Neill Theatre Conference. As a singer, she’s appeared at a number of nightlife hotspots, including Don’t Tell Mama, The Duplex Cabaret Theatre, The Producer’s Club, Joe’s Pub, XL, The Triad and Therapy. She was also honored to sing the National Anthem for the Chicago Bears, Bulls and White Sox. In January of 2007, Kristy was proud to present a series of sold out solo concerts at Metropolis Performing Arts Center in Arlington Heights, IL. Kristy is a proud graduate of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music where she was the first recipient of the Laurie Beechman Scholarship Award. Singer/Songwriter FARAH ALVIN has been making a name for herself in New York Theater for over ten years. Terry Teachout of The Wall Street Journal dubbed her “the best young musical-comedy singer to come along in years.” On Broadway, Farah has appeared in the Tony Award-winning revival of Nine, The Look of Love: The Music of Burt Bacharach and Hal David, Saturday Night Fever, Grease! (also National Tour) and Madison Square Garden’s A Christmas Carol. Last year, Farah starred as Marcy Fitzwilliams in the off-Broadway cult hit I Love You Because. Other off-Broadway credits include Kuni-leml at the Jewish Repertory Theatre, as well as Cam Jansen and If You Give a Mouse a Cookie for TheatreworksUSA. Recently, she starred as Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance at Goodspeed Opera House. She has appeared as a soloist with the symphony orchestras of Indianapolis, Seattle, Detroit and the National symphonies of The United States and Canada. Farah can also be heard on the original cast recording of I Love You Because, the concept recording of Frank Wildhorn’s Jekyll and Hyde and Varesse Sarabande’s Burt Bacharach Album, among others. In addition to her theater work, Farah is also an accomplished singer/songwriter. Her album of original folk/jazz music, entitled someday, is available at farahalvin.com and cdbaby.com. Her songs blend the worlds of folk, jazz, pop and blues with deeply expressive and ironically humorous lyrics. She has been performing with her band, The Farah Alvin Orchestra, around New York for three years.
Hi
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  Good Morning, darlings. I think I need a pick me up today. Something to take my mind off of chaos and despair! A bit of Q, FB or Hairspray would make me better. I might have to lotto today. Have a nice day. Photo A Rick Lyon Puppet creation from the original vineyard production. It is the first Kate Monster puppet and it is my favorite. C
Culinary Corner Report. Restaurant Row!
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Last evening, I revisited The Hour Glass on Restaurant row. If you love seafood, this is a great and inexpensive place to get fresh seafood. I started with homemade veggie and bean soup which was excellent. For my second course I had soft shell crabs which were served in garlic. These crabs were the best I have had since my trip to Maryland (to visit my brother) All this for $22.00. The owners treat you like parents. They are very warm and want to make sure you are happy. I will be going back again. The Hour Glass is on West 46th close to 9th avenue. Rating: Food 9-10. Service: 10-10 Atmosphere: 6-10 The only negative was the environment. It is not pretty on the inside and I almost got scared to death by the talking Andrew Dice Clay ad in the bathroom. Silence in the bathroom is a must. Go for the food and decent prices.
Corine's Corner Tasting Tour Of ITALY!!!
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 Hi Guys, I will be starting an event series with food. My first event will be a taste of Italy which will include a discussion by the owner and Chef of Gente. Please write to me here if you would like to attend. More information will follow in the next week. Best, Corine
The Upside Of Anger Management!
Anger management, would have been a great title for TALK RADIO, the revival that is currently playing On Broadway. Sometimes anger, is all you need to spell box office success which comes from the incredible performance by Liev Schreiber! Liev Schreiber, is a shoo in for both Tony and Drama Desk nominations. He gives the best performance that I have seen this year in a play. Sadly, I sat in the Mezz and could not see all of his facial expressions! What I did see, was a man who will have to write a few speeches before May and early June. Bravo! Review by Corine Dana Cohen
QSAC BENEFIT- 2/26/2007
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  On February 26th, I covered the QSAC Benefit. It was a great evening and I got to live out a few of my fantasies. I got to interview Ann Harada and John Tartaglia on video tape. It was very exciting. I also interviewed: Mary Testa, Heath Calvert and Jim Watkins. Hopefully the video tape will be posted on Timessquare.com very soon. In the meantime I wanted to post some photos backstage and after the show! In addition please go and make a donation as it is a great cause. Thank you Photos by Brad Balfour Photo 1: Heath Cavert and Corine Cohen Photo 2: Anita Gillette and Ann Harada The concert features a variety of first-hand stories and songs from the performers' own "first" experiences, such as the first show they were in, their first professional stage success or the first show or star that inspired them to follow their hearts to Broadway. 1. Ann Harada did a number from Godspell and explained she always wanted to perform it but never got the chance. She was hilarious and outstanding and made me smile. 2. Susan Blackwell and Hunter Bell wrote their own song about their first Broadway shows, it was funny, touching and hysterical. It was my favorite song of the night.
BROADWAY FOR MEDICINE BENEFIT, CITY CENTER
 Just came back from the Broadway For Medicine Benefit at City Center: I thought I would give you my top favorite numbers and a few that were not so great. Let's start with the best and than discuss the 'wicked' numbers! (Tongue in cheek, not this time) 1. I love Charles Busch. Especially when Charles is in drag! Charles is my favorite drag queen!!! He is such a beautiful and sophisticated lady! And sadly, he looks better in a dress than me. (VERY DEPRESSING AND VERY TRUE) I loved his long black gown with the pink lining (Was it Issac Mizrahi? for Target, just kidding) He had the audience in hysterical laughter. He really needs to do more of this at benefits. He was my favorite of the night. I eat him and Julie's schtick up (No matter how many times I see it, I can never get enough) Charles performed a number called the Stepmother and it was really funny. 2. Betty Buckley- Singing "Memory" I never cared for "Cats" but this song is gorgeous, especially when Betty sings it. I could have listened to her all night. 3. Donna McKechnie was outstanding singing her famous number from the original "A Chorus Line" and she proved that she still has it over 20 years later. She is incredible and stopped the show. And now for something 'wicked.' 1. Is Debbie Gibson trying to land the role of Glinda the good? Is she trying to become "POPULAR?" (Her outfit a pink taffeta number looked like the exact costume of Glinda the good and it looked very silly with Dorothy's magic slippers. I wanted to say there is no place like home and wished she stayed there) On the whole this concert was magical. Other terrific numbers were performed by: Manoel Felicano, I can never get enough of his gorgeous voice. Hugh Panaro performed a show stopper with Lisa Vroman singing "Make Our Garden Grow" and Malcom Gets wowed us with "Way Ahead Of My Time" Photo Joan Marcus (Forbidden Broadway SVU) Used as it reminded me of Debbie Gibson's Glinda outfit. Review by Corine Dana Cohen for Corine's Corner.
Naked Eye Planets- Opening Night Will Follow Soon.
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 I attended the opening night party of Naked Eye Planets. Photo coverage will be posted soon but until then please see the show. It is Coyote Rep's first play. The American Theatre of Actors (Chernuchin Theatre). The theater is located at 314 West 54th St. in NYC. The show runs from March 9 to 25, 2007. Visit http://www.coyoterep.org Photo by Ryan Jensen. Photo caption (L-R): Amanda Sayle and Maria Cellario
I'm So Excited... I Just Can't Hide It!!!
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 We can't let you know where the VIP party is this year but it will be announced on Wed! It will be the most spectacular year ever... The info will be posted in a few days. Stay here for the info. Corine Photo by Richard Pearlman. Photo John L. Young at Trump Tower at the VIP Party last year. Many of you might not know this but I do the parties for the Drama Desk awards(6 years now) PS I wanted to thank John Nagle of Trump Tower grill for doing an incredible job. Trump, did an incredible event!
Drama Desk News.....
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 For Immediate Release 52ND ANNUAL DRAMA DESK AWARDS TO BE HELD MAY 20 AT F.H. LAGUARDIA CONCERT HALL AT LINCOLN CENTER Nominations To Be Announced on Thursday, April 26 The 52nd Annual Drama Desk Awards will be held on Sunday, May 20, in the F.H. LaGuardia Concert Hall at Lincoln Center, it was announced by Robert R. Blume, Executive Producer of the awards ceremony, and William Wolf, President of the Drama Desk, an organization of theater critics, writers and editors, that honors excellence in all areas of New York theatre, including Broadway, Off Broadway, Off Off Broadway and not-for-profit theater. Nominations for the coveted Drama Desk Awards reflecting the 2006/2007 New York theater season will be announced on Thursday morning, April 26, at the New York Friars Club. The Drama Desk Awards Nominees Cocktail Reception will be held on Tuesday, May 1, 4:00 to 7:00 PM, at Arte Café, 106 West 73rd Street, between Broadway and Columbus Avenues. Sunday, April 22, matinee is the deadline for nominators to see shows for consideration this season. Members of the Drama Desk nominating committee include Barbara Siegel, chairperson (TalkinBroadway.com, Theatermania.com), Gregory Bossler, (The Dramatist Magazine); Bernard Carragher (Catholic Transcript); Glenda Frank (Plays International and nytheatre-wire.com); Tony Phillips (New York Press); and Richard Ridge (Broadway Beat TV). Robert R. Blume is Executive Producer of the 52nd Annual Drama Desk Awards. Lauren Class Schneider is Producer and Jeff Kalpak is Director. Associate Producers are Jacki Barlia Florin, Corine Dana Cohen, Margot Astrachan and Les Schecter who is also Director of Publicity and Promotions. Elias El-Hage is the General Manager. Randie Levine-Miller is Special Events Director for the Drama Desk.
LOVE N COURAGE 2/12/ 2007
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   Love N'Courage On February 12th, 2007 Photos by Maryann Lopinto A benefit to help raise funds for Theater For The New City. Theater For The New City were the first company to put Charles Busch and Julie Halston on the map. Charles hosted this benefit and the event was a tremendous success. My favorite part of the evening was when Sal Vivino performed. His voice is outstanding. Also standouts were Charles Busch, Julie Halston and the one and only Stritch! In addition, The National Arts club is stunning. My favorite place for events as it is so gorgeous. They did a wonderful job!
Dance Yourself Thin!
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Mario Lopez (“Dancing with the Stars” & “Extra”) and TONY Award Winner LaChanze (“The Color Purple”) Join Forces to Launch the SMART SPOT DANCE!! DATE: WEDNESDAY MARCH 14th LOCATION: McBurney YMCA, 125 West 14th Street TIME: 6:30PM -- PROGRAM ADVOCATES A HEALTHIER WORLD THROUGH DANCE IN URBAN COMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY- Features Partnership with The National Urban League, The National Council of La Raza and America On The Move to encourage active lifestyles…through Dance! WHO: Mario Lopez, “Dancing with the Stars” LaChanze, Tony Award Winner for The Color Purple Maria Torres, Broadway Choreographer Marc Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League Liany Arroyo, Director for Hispanic Health National Council of LaRaza Dr. James Hill, Co-Founder, AOM Kevin Shermach, Senior Executive Director, YMCA Marketing and Communications Jeannette Jordon, Registered Dietician Claudia Gonzalez. Registered Dietician WHAT: · Mario Lopez, LaChanze, and Maria Torres are joining PepsiCo and Smart Spot Dance! to get people dancing · Smart Spot Dance! is a multi-city dance program that offers a fun way for families, especially Moms, to get active across the country with stops in NYC, Chicago, LA, Houston, Miami, DC and St Louis · Come and dance with LaChanze and Mario Lopez in an instructional routine created by Maria Torres. A fusion of Latin jazz and urban rhythms, the routine has been designed to get you moving and feeling energized · Registered dieticians will be on-hand to discuss the importance of making smart choices when grocery shopping · Get tips on how to put a healthy twist on classic snack recipes · Listen to community leaders from the National Urban League and the National Council of La Raza comment on the rising obesity epidemic · Finally…leave feeling inspired to lead a more active and healthy lifestyle – and dance! · Upload video footage of your own dance moves at www.smartspot.com · The Smart Spot symbol makes it easier to identify PepsiCo products that contribute to a healthier lifestyle. WHEN: Wednesday, March 14th, 2007 Media Check in at 6:15pm; Doors at 7pm WHERE: The McBurney YMCA, 125 West 14th Street ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND Smart Spot Dance! is a way encourage Moms to learn how dance can help them get active. A recent study reported that dance is an effective and fun way to increase physical activity and help prevent weight gain.
Say a Prayer for Jonathan. I love you!
  My Dear friend who is more like family had a stroke on Friday. Please say a prayer for him and his family. Our Mother's are best friends and we grew up together like Brother and Sister (But we always got along) I love you, hope you get better soon.
Federico Salon Official Beauty Salon Of The Drama Desk Awards!!!
  Federico Salon, expert in beauty will do the hair and makeup of this years Drama Desk Awards. Here are some photos of him doing hair for a benefit at the York Theater Company! Above shot of Federico with Kelly Ripa, from The Regis and Kelly show. Federico is the salon of the stars! (And me!) Mention Corine's Corner for a 30 percent discount on all beauty treatments. Call: 212-262-3027.
Broadway Bears....
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 Photo Stephanie D'Abruzzo and Lucy The Slut Puppet Bear and her creator Karl! Photo by Brad Balfour. Broadway Bears has always been one of my favorite events of the year. We will be posting more photos in the coming weeks! Please donate to Broadwaycares! To donate: http://www.broadwaycares.org The event was a lot of fun as usual. I did a few video interviews and they will be up in the distant future. I was bidding on the Lucy The Slut puppet but it went out of my range. I really wanted to own it! It is a puppet after all! Sadly, I didn't win. I also bid on the Martin Short Bear and missed by one bid. I love Martin Short and loved his show even more. Well, next year they need a Marc Shaiman Bear. I'd bid on that. Have a beary good day! More on this soon. xoxox, Corine
After Party-
 I will raise a Cosmo, LOVE YOU GUYS!
Todd Buonopane "Lying In The Driveway" At The Ars Nova March 5th, 2007
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  Todd Buonopane is currently in the Broadway cast of "Spelling Bee" and a few months earlier he was the four legged star"MUDGE" in"Henry and Mudge" Todd does his best work playing lovable characters in adorable shows. I always wondered if it was acting or he was indeed as lovable as he appears. During his concert, I realized that he is striving to be lovable and it works for him. Todd is very funny and has a sweetness about him that is enticing. Todd is a natural and from the turnout of his concert you can tell that he is indeed loved by all! Todd's funniest number was a number seeking love from his audience. It was so cute, just like the actor himself. He makes you want to pinch him! One more thing, the title of the show "Lying In The Driveway" Todd explained that as a child he would fall in the driveway to get attention from his Mother. He was seeking love and potato chips. Today, Todd just needs to put on these shows to get the love and attention that he desires! Bravo, Todd! Forget the chips and stick to performing! We all love you!
Corine's Corner Happy Hour! 5:00-6:30
 Hello, I am having a party to celebrate the new launch of my website. Corine's Corner will be 2 years old in May. May is a very bad time for me as it is the month of the Drama Desk Awards. I am celebrating now instead. (Come to the DD AWARDS on May 20th) Anyway, it is just a happy hour for people to celebrate and everyone will pay their own way. The good news, it is reduced rates. Where can you get wine in this City for $2.50. So, come raise a glass with me to celebrate all of my hard work. Hope you can make it. Where: Raku Sushi When: 5:00-6:30 Saturday March 10th. Why: To celebrate and PARTY Hope you can make it, Corine http://www.corinescorner.com
Interview With Eddie Varley!
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 In September, I interviewed Eddie Varley from "Into The Weeds" I hope you like the interview. Since interviewing Eddie, I have found a lot more about this fantastic man. He is not only one of the nicest people on the planet but also, a very talented artist. You can see his work on my blog. He did all of the fabulous cartoons of me! You can catch Eddie, in his latest show on March 18th, with David Gurland at the Laurie Beechman Theater. Corine Cohen Talks to Eddie Varley of Into the Weeds Photographed by Maryann Lopinto To Catch Eddie's newest show on March 18th call: 212-695-6909 Corine Cohen: Tell me how you got involved with Into The Weeds. Eddie Varley: Bill Weeden is one of my dearest friends, we've had a long time creative friendship too, we've been in several shows together, we did Little Shop of Horrors and stuff in the past. While he's a wonderful actor he's also a gifted composer. Last year I was lucky enough to be a part of the cast of his musical Move It and It's Yours, we did a short run of it at the Passage Theater in New Jersey. The cast was so talented: Natalie Joy Johnson; Dann Fink; Patti Mariano; Jeffrey Thompson; and two members of our Into The Weeds cast - Amanda Weeden and John Skocik. We had a blast doing it. Jeff Cohen our director on Move It has a real passion for Bill's music so he came up with the idea for a little revue of the "Weeden" songbook. So he and Bill worked it up and it all came together in a very special way. Jeff brought his love of the music and his considerable skills as an actor’s director to the rehearsals and it all flowed quite easily. We are blessed with an AMAZING cast: Melissa;Ted; Hilary; Kristen; John, Grey; Michael; are all just so brilliant, everyone has a moment to shine. And having Bill actually performing with us is a gift from the musical theater gods, he's a true original! Corine Cohen: When did you want to be an actor? Eddie Varley: Ever since I saw The Three Stooges as a little kid, I knew then I wanted to make people laugh. It's a long journey when you start out, but the journey is really the reward. The people I've met along the way continue to inspire me. Corine Cohen: Do you think they will extend the project? Eddie: The great news is we've been extended for the foreseeable future! Dan Brown, a powerhouse producer who's done major shows in Atlantic City, came and saw the show and jumped right in, so it looks like we'll be spending Saturday nights at the Laurie Beechman Theater at the West Bank Cafe for many weekends to come! We all couldn't be happier, the venue is truly perfect for the show and Kenny and the staff treat us like family. I'm also excited people will continue to get a chance to hear Bill's music performed, he deserves all the best. Corine Cohen: I had a great time at the show. It was charming. What do you want to do next? Eddie: I'm so glad you were able to come see it, it's sort of an old fashioned evening, we all just are having a party celebrating Bill's songbook with the audience. As for what's next, I've got some fun possibilities on the horizon, let's keep our fingers crossed that they'll happen! Hah. Corine: Fingers crossed! What is your favorite Broadway show? Eddie: Wow, that is a hard one, I enjoy everything! Jersey Boys is thrilling! The Producers is still a hoot and Hairspray always makes me feel good inside, that finale is AMAZING! The show that is closest to my heart is The Phantom of the Opera, I remember seeing it when it first opened, Michael Crawford was such a wonder in the title role, he gave the character such passion and poetry. I know people knock it but the music is so beautiful and transporting, I guess it will always be my favorite.
Take A BITE OF THE BIG APPLE
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 New to The Big Apple? Take a giant bite! Want to enjoy New York City instead of dreading all the obstacles and high costs? The link again is: http://www.survivingnyc.net
Hi There..
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 Hello, darlings! I got a very sweet email from my beloved friend and performer David Gurland. David is in a bit of a bind. What is it you ask? Well, he is hosting the After Party tomorrow and he needs you to attend. Also, if you are a Broadway Star, please go and sing as he needs fabulous guest stars. Please contact me here if you are interested in helping David out. All you have to do is sing one song and David will buy you drinks all night! Sounds like fun! You can also contact David on his website: http://www.davidgurland.com See you there. PS If you are not a star you should still attend his marvelous event. Laurie Beechman Theater at Westbank Cafe. 212-695-6909
David Gurland Interview
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  Many of you might remember David Gurland's Neurotica but when my site was redesigned it was lost. Hope you enjoy it. Coming up you can catch David with Eddie Varley at the Laurie Beechman room. The concert is March 18th. Contact David for more info: www.davidgurland.com Corine Cohen Talks to David Gurland Photographed by Maryann Lopinto Neurotica Show August 24, 2006 at the Metropolitan Room Next show March 18, 2007 Laurie Beechman Theater Corine Cohen : David, when you were a boy growing up, when did you realize you wanted to sing? David Gurland: As a kid I always performed, it was just a natural thing for me, and I always sang. But I didn't have a very good voice, though I could stay on pitch. It wasn't until the latter part of my BFA at NYU did I decide that of all the performing arts, I actually enjoyed singing the most. I took voice lessons from the time I was sixteen until I was twenty-three (when they just got too expensive, so sadly I had to stop), and after that I just developed naturally as a vocalist. Corine Cohen: You sure did! Your entrance [to the Neurotica show] cracked me up. I was hoping you would sing “Like a Virgin,” when were you touched for the very first time? David Gurland: Hmmmm, I'm not quite sure how to answer that. Do you seriously want to know when I lost my virginity? First time at fifteen, second time at twenty...figure it out. Have I ever been touched, in the spiritual /emotional sense....all the time. Corine Cohen: Sorry to pry, but back to talking about Madonna! Tell my readers how you came up with this show. David Gurland: Well, I had been working with my Musical Director/Arranger Michael Holland on a bunch of different projects from 2002-2004, and one night we were out, slamming back many citron and sodas at a bar called Cleo's on 9th avenue. It was probably around four in the morning, and “Ray of Light” came on the Jukebox and we both commented on how much we liked the song. And jokingly I said, I should do an all Madonna show, and he was like 'yeah right, you'll never do it' and then in the winter of 2005 it all happened, we premiered the show in May of 2005, and have been doing it ever since, whenever I can afford to put it up and whenever anyone asks us to do it. I always thought of myself as the 'Madonna' of the cabaret world before I ever sung any of her songs. I never thought I had the best voice, but I always thought that I had a point of view and marched to the beat of a different drummer and just did whatever I wanted regardless of what the 'purists' of the Cabaret world (whoever they are) wanted me to do. I dressed differently; I sang pop when they wanted standards. I followed my heart instead of going with the rest of the crowd which is exactly what she does. And just like her, sometimes it's served me well, sometimes it doesn't. Corine Cohen: It served you well this time! If it was your last day on Earth, what would you have wanted to accomplish before going to the Moon? David Gurland: OK! I have an addiction. And it's theme parks, thrill rides, and roller coasters. Now, I've fed my addiction for the most part; but there are a bunch of them (parks, rides) I've yet to tackle. My last day on earth would most certainly be spent in a theme park with my closest friends. And maybe that night tell everyone in my life exactly what I think of them good and bad. Get it off my chest. Go to the moon with a clean slate if you know what I mean. Corine Cohen: Have you ever thought of doing a one man show about you? I bet it would be funny! David: Well I've committed to doing Neurotica for at least a year, now that year is actually almost up, and I've been listening to a lot of music that is very self reflective, versus the Madonna stuff which is just out there. One of the things I'd like to do is put an evening of these songs together with just a piano or a Guitar, and just keep it simple. But I'd also like to record another CD. I have changed SOOOOO much since my first one was released in dare I say it 1999 and I'd love to go back into the studio and make a new record. We'll see, no matter what I do I think it will be funny... Corine Cohen: Thanks for taking the time to do the interview, David. You are very funny and a great performer For more information on David Gurland: www.davidgurland.com Check out David's next concert with the one and only Eddie Varley! I will be there, so should you!
Eddie Varley With David Gurland!
 David Gurland with Eddie Varley!!!! I can't wait! Eddie love!!! March, 18 2007 at The Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Cafe 407 West 42nd Street (right off 9th Avenue), New York, New York 10036 Cost : $16 David Gurland resumes DGUR CONCERT Series at the Laurie Beechman on March 18th, tackling ‘Boy Singers and Songwriters from the 70’s and 80’s.’ With Eddie Varley, Mike McCardle (Andrea’s Brother!!!). and the return of Musical Director RAY FELLMAN!!! As well as a surprise guest! www.westbankcafe.com $16 cover $15 food/drink minimum 212-695-6909 Credit cards accepted.
The Leading Men Raise Money For Broadway Cares
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 Photo of John Tartaglia, Wayman Wong and Daniel Reichard.(Photo Maryann Lopinto) "Leading Men II" charity concert Feb. 5, 2007 at Birdland 315 W. 44th St. birdlandjazz.com broadwaycares.org I hate cold weather, and New York has received a double dose of it in past weeks, making it impossible to want to go out. But when Wayman Wong invited me to attend "The Leading Men II" concert, the benefit concert he organized this and last year in conjunction with his column called, you guessed it, "The Leading Men" (of which I'm an avid reader), I just had to bundle up and brave the elements. I have a great deal of respect for Wayman but secretly I'm just glad he and I have the same passion and enthusiasm for the intersection of theater and cabaret. "The Leading Men II" was a joyful experience for all, just like the man himself! A few thoughts about the show, which had sold out weeks before, and didn't fail to impress: 1. Daniel Reichard from "Jersey Boys" singing: "Torch Song" from "When Pigs Fly," a hysterical song mocking our Veep Dick Cheney and got the entire audience howling. Daniel proved his "Forbidden Broadway" training has done great things for his career. I adored his performance and would say it was the favorite of the night—but don't tell the other boys! 2. Budding cabaret legend and recording artist David Gurland, nattily decked out in a pink shirt and black jacket, really ended up bringing down the house. He has such range! I adore him and his adorable boyfriend Robbie! David sang "Waiting For Life" from "Once on This Island," the classic musical of star-crossed lovers on a Caribbean island. 3. Seth Rudetsky, the emcee of his own live talkshow "Chatterbox" at the Don't Tell Mama Cabaret, and a total class act, did his piece "Deconstructing the "Sound of Music," To steal his own line he was "AHMAZING." 4. Sexy, well dressed and stunning Perry Ojeda from "Pride" had everyone sweating during "Lucky to Be Me" from "Our Town." I felt lucky to be watching him perform—and a little overheated. Who cared about the cold now? 5. Les Mis's new Marius, Adam Jacobs, impressed the entire audience with "Maria" from "West Side Story" It was breathtaking and beautiful. His voice is stunning and his wife is a lucky woman. 6. And finally Adam's co-star and veteran Broadway dreamboat Norm Lewis sang: "I'd Rather be Sailing" It was a beautiful song sung by one of the greatest performers on Broadway. It was great to see him do what he does best and wow an audience. In addition, John Tartaglia was an incredible emcee and host of this incredible Broadway Cares event and I'd like to thank him, Wayman and all those talented men for a successful and sexy night of performance and song. See you next year! To donate: broadwaycares.org
My Fair Lady Dress Rehearsal. If This Does Not Move To Broadway It Will Be A TRAGEDY!
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I am very thrilled to post this. I saw the best production I have seen in years this afternoon. The most flawless work, EVER! I don't care how you do it but if you have the money to see "My Fair Lady" you should sell your last stock to see this gem. It is absolutely stunning. It made me cry it was so perfect. First, we need to talk about the brilliant casting. Kelli O'Hara has finally found her star breaking role. Piazza nor Pajama game did her justice. Her perfect singing, and acting make her a perfect flawless gem in this show. She needs to be on Broadway with this cast! 1.Brian Dennehy was outstanding as her Father and I had no idea he was such a talented singer. His acting and comedic timing were timeless and perfect. 2.Kelsey Grammer, is perfectly cast as Henry Higgins and was hysterical during this rehearsal. He was hamming it up for us and it was a joyful experience. 3. The costumes were gorgeous and the choreography was very elaborate for a 4 day run. It would be such a shame if this was not moved to a Broadway house. It was the most incredible production I was moved. There was not one thing wrong with this production. My Fair Lady is playing at Avery Fisher Hall. It would be a crime to miss it.
East River Cafe
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    If you look at my archives you will see a review of a wonderful restaurant called East River Cafe. At the time, I could not put photos in the review so please take a look at some of the scrumptious food we ate. My favorite dish was the Tuna Magico. It was pure tuna magic. I also adored the tuna tartar and the Salmon wrapped in potato. Here are some photos: Photos taken by Maryann Lopinto. East River Café 1111 First Avenue (between 60th & 61st Street) New York, NY 10021 212-980-3144 I was treated like royalty when eating at East River Cafe. I had such a great experience that I went back three days later with a date and had the Tuna Magico again. It was just as scrumptious and I will be going back again.
Overheard IN NYC!
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 The other day as I was on the subway on West 72nd, who should join me on the number 2 train? Sutton Foster and Christian Borle. It was on Monday and they were so cute together. As the train arrived in Times Square Borle said "Ugh, Times Square , let's get out of here" It was very funny. It was so cute I wanted to post it. GOSSIP GOSSIP! Borle was fantastic in the concert of Elegies and Sutton blew me away in Throughly Modern Millie as well as showing off in Drowsy Chaperone! Borle was starring in Spamalot and is currently in Legally Blonde and Sutton is starring in The Drowsy Chaperone. PS I didn't realize Borle left Spamalot. Thanks to the little birdie that told me. Labels: S
Jackie With A Z!
 THERE ARE 3 DATES LEFT THAT STILL HAVE TICKETS: TUES. MARCH 13, 7:30, MONDAY, MARCH 19, 9:30 ONLY, TUES. MARCH 20TH 9:30. "Corine Cohen says, Hoffman is hysterical, she makes me howl. Expect to laugh your head off and want more" Hoffman is one of the funniest women in comedy today. Corine Cohen- Corinescorner.com "In 'Jackie With a Z,' her delectably outrageous new show at Joe's Pub, Ms. Hoffman is continuing her love-hate relationship with the audience. She hates; they love. Ms. Hoffman leaves no comic stone unthrown. Audiences weary of a diet of politically correct pablum should find it refreshing... fast, funny and, most important, furious." - The New York Times "Hoffman's brand of bile is highly entertaining, and this fast-paced 60 minutes of stand-up comedy and satirical musical numbers should give the performer another hit run... There are enough belly laughs here to inspire hope that this supreme curmudgeon won't mellow anytime soon." - The New York Post "There are actually three things you can be sure of in life: death, taxes, and the fact that Jackie Hoffman will say something outrageous when she's on the stage of Joe's Pub. Her final, truly daring number, performed with a special surprise guest, has to be heard and seen to be believed." - Theatermania Tickets available by calling 212-967-7555. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Public Theater box office, Tues-Sat from 1-7:30pm, Sun & Mon from 1-6pm. For dinner reservations, call 212-539-8778. http://www.joespub.com
"Jackie With A Z" (Photos by Maryann Lopinto)
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    On Sunday, we covered "Jackie With A Z" at Joe's Pub. Jackie Hoffman is the woman with hysterical impersonations and facial expressions. She was seen this past season in MTC(Manhattan Theater Clubs) hysterical and touching comedy "Regrets Only" It was so funny I had to go three times. I would have gone more often but the tickets were hard to get and expensive. Jackie was the funniest part of the show. She would pop into every scene and make me howl. My howling would wake up the old geezer subscriber section! Sadly, as Jackie says in her current show at Joe's Pub, most of the subscribers are over 90 and hard of hearing. They also sleep as soon as the lights go down which is distracting for the performers as well as the audience. (well me) Sorry to digress. Back to Jackie's new show. It is a 90 minute romp into the mind of Jackie Hoffman. The best parts are her hysterical tales about working at MTC ("Regrets Only") and her experiences with the geezer section and co workers such as the fantastic Christine Baranski. Jackie does a hysterical impersonation of Christine that was the funniest part of the show. Jackie is like a fine wine. She is an acquired taste. She is not sweet cheap kosher wine, she is the real deal. Funny with an edge. The man in the front row was part of Jackie's routine and he did not respond. I wish she picked on me it would have been a lot funnier as I would have responded. Jackie with a Z is playing at Joe's Pub. For thick skinned funny people. If you are timid and meek, sit in the back. Jackie With A Z is running through March 20th. Review by Corine Dana Cohen, Photos by Maryann Lopinto
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