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The SECOND ANNUAL SUMMER BROADWAY FESTIVAL!
 HOT TIME AT TOWN HALL’S 2ND ANNUAL SUMMER BROADWAY FESTIVAL CHRISTINE ANDREAS, MICHAL ARDEN, ALEXANDER GEMIGNANI, KENDRICK JONES, MARC KUDISCH, ALLI MAUZEY, CAROL WOODS HEADLINE THREE UNIQUE JULY CONCERT EVENTS! July 14, 21, & 28th at The Town Hall The Town Hall continues to present acclaimed Broadway concerts this July with its 2nd ANNUAL SUMMER BROADWAY FESTIVAL created, written and hosted by Scott Siegel for the Town Hall. Presented on three Monday nights at 8PM are A NIGHT AT THE OPERETTA on July 14th, BROADWAY’S RISING STARS on July 21st and ALL SINGIN’ ALL DANCIN’ on July 28th. The evenings will feature music and dance coupled with witty insider tidbits, all performed by Broadway’s finest. Tickets are $25 - $50, and are available from TicketMaster, (212) 307-4100, or in person at The Town Hall Box Office, 123 West 43rd Street, New York, NY, (212) 840-2824, http://www.the-townhall-nyc.org/. A NIGHT AT THE OPERETTA on July 14th features the sounds of Broadway music one rarely gets to hear anymore – Operetta - including music by Sigmund Romberg, Rudolph Friml and Victor Herbert. A NIGHT AT THE OPERETTA stars two-time Tony nominee Christine Andreas (On Your Toes, Oklahoma!); Metropolitan Opera Star John Easterlin; Alexander Gemignani (Sunday in The Park With George, Sweeney Todd, Les Miserables); Jason Graae (2007 LA Drama Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theatre); Lisa Howard (Drama Desk Nominee for...Spelling Bee); award-winning vocalist Milla Ilieva (Hidden Voices); two-time Tony nominee Marc Kudisch (Assassins, Thoroughly Modern Millie), Drama Desk nominee Ray Jaramillo McLeod (Wonderful Town); William Michals (Beauty and the Beast, Les Miserables and understudy for Emile de Becque in South Pacific); Karen Murphy (The Visit, All Shook Up) and Jennifer Hope Wills (Christine in The Phantom of the Opera), and more! The show is under the direction of Dan Foster with musical direction by Fred Barton. BROADWAY’S RISING STARS on July 21st is directed by Tony Nominee Emily Skinner and Nightlife Award winner Scott Coulter. Designed to launch the careers of the next generation of Broadway stars, the show features the most outstanding young talents from performing arts schools in New York and across the country. The future stars of the great White Way were chosen during auditions throughout the spring. The third concert on July 28th marks the return of ALL SINGIN’ ALL DANCIN’, an exciting evening of song and dance. The show features Broadway show tunes sporting brand new choreography exclusively created by Joshua Rhodes and danced by today’s great Broadway hoofers, including Kendrick Jones, Megan Sikora, Melinda Sullivan, Lisa Gadja, Lorin Latarro, and more! Directed by Scott Siegel, they will be joined by some of today’s great Broadway singers (some also dance!) performing great Broadway classics. They include Michael Arden (The Times They Are A Changin’, bare); Allie Mauzey (Cry Baby) ; Liz McCartney (South Pacific, Taboo); Carol Woods (Chicago, One Mo’ Time) and more! Siegel, who also created Broadway by the Year and the Broadway Cabaret Festival for Town Hall, said, “The level of talent that has signed on for these three summer concerts is a testament to Town Hall’s top notch Broadway level entertainment. Some of the stars that have signed on are Broadway by the Year stalwarts like Marc Kudisch, Alexander Gemignani, and Jason Graae. Others are brand new to our shows, such as Michael Arden Alli Mauzey, Jennifer Hope Wills, and Carol Woods. We are thrilled to have them, just as our audiences will be thrilled to see them on The Town Hall stage.”
SHALL WE DANCE ALL NIGHT? SOME ENCHANTED EVENING!
 Gina Kreiezmar, Michael West, Jared Bradshaw, David Caldwell and Christina Bianco. (Thanks to Kayla Greeley and Jared for this photo.)  As many of you know, I am one of the shows greatest fans. I have seen every version except one (2001, ASO) So, I know most of the words, the lyrics and the dance numbers. "Dances With The Stars" is by far the strongest version since "Rude Awakening" which is one of my favorite editions.
I must say that I have loved every cast of " Forbidden Broadway" but tonights cast was exceptional. There is a new girl in town and she is going to be "POP-U-LAR" She is a tiny, adorable sensation that can give Chenoweth a run for her money. There is a new Chenoweth number, so listen up Chenoweth fans. When you see Christina Bianco you will be amazed. Was it live or was it Memorex? Christina Bianco will be Broadway's next big star or should I say little star. All great things and performers come in tiny packages and Christina Bianco is one tiny star package! She is outstanding!
When I was waiting to see the show I met the newest stars family and they were very happy for FB'S newest edition. Tonight was her first performance and she blew the house down with her incredible vocal chops and talent. The new kid reminds me of Jennifer Simard which is a very good role model. She has a gorgeous voice and can do anything! I can't wait to see what she does next. She is a triple threat and it is only night one.
Congratulations are also in order for Gina. Gina, who has been the understudy for many years blew me away with her brilliant impersonation of Patti LuPone. It was so on the money that people including myself screamed for her. She has always been one of my favorite performers in the show and she shined tonight. I also was blown away by her Liza impersonation. (It is my favorite Liza of all time!!!!!) (And my favorite Patti. Wonder if LuPone has an understudy?) Gina is brilliant!!!
Jared and Michael never disappoint but seeing West as Elaine Stritch was a real treat. (I'LL DRINK TO THAT!)
Don't miss this fabulous version. It was an enchanting evening. PS Christina's Kelli O'Hara was so on the money and Jared's Paulo was a real treat. This production was perfection on night one which is a very good sign.
It is a must see! Some other great new numbers:
Michael West does an incredible impersonation of Lin Manuel Miranda and gets down "In The Height's " style! (His Elaine Stritch was hysterical and he has her great legs! Although, he really looks great in the Les Miz number) His Harvey just kills me every time I see it. Especially his funny looks at Laura Bell Bundy. He is so funny!!
Jared never stops entertaining. I loved him as THE MONSTER! (Sorry for the spoiler but it was really clever and campy!(Just not crappy!) They can't stop the camp and it is so much fun.
There is no Broadway like Gerard's Broadway!
Corine Dana Cohen Call 212-239-6200 for tickets. http://www.forbiddenbroadway.com/
Side note: There are a few things that could have been better:
My thoughts:
1. Wish they would kill off Annie already. In the last version they did kill her and it kind of made me happy. (I have seen this number 61 times, enough!!!) 2. Why did they take out "Curtains" it is Jared's funniest number and it was missed. 3. They did a shorter version of "Spring Awakening" and took out a very funny part that should still remain. Annie should be killed if it is about time but the Spring number is one of the greatest bits and should not be shortened, 4. The Merman number just isn't the same without Val Fagan. (But Gina is amazing in everything else) This number should only be done by Val Fagan.
For a first preview this edition was very strong. In fact, it was the best first preview I have seen. I do think it is time to put Annie under. I love that number but it is so old now and needs to be buried. It is Gerard's signature but it really is stale and does not belong. And hipper, newer bits should take its place (Curtains!) And even though the Phantom Merman number is hysterical it is missing something and could be cut. The number was written for VAL. (Or it seems like it!) (The LuPone number was written for Gina and it is perfection!)
This production is hysterical and I can't wait to see the improvements. Can you smell another TONY? This year, I can.
Avenue Q!
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   Hello,
Hope everyone is staying cool today. It is as humid and hot as an oven. I don't do well in the heat. Anyway, I hope all is well and I plan to see AVENUE Q next week. It has been sooooo long since I have seen my favorite musical. Yeah, it is my favorite musical of all time.
Have a nice day and go and see Avenue Q. Just leave a lottery ticket for me. ;-)
Corine
FORBIDDEN BROADWAY DANCES WITH THE STARS!
  Begins Performances June 28th
At The 47th Street Theatre
Gerard Alessandrini’s FORBIDDEN BROADWAY will return from its annual spring hiatus on June 28 at 8pm with a summer edition entitled FORBIDDEN BROADWAY DANCES WITH THE STARS!, at the 47th Street Theatre (304 West 47th Street). The summer edition will feature past favorites in addition to new spoofs including South Pacific, Patti LuPone in Gypsy and Grease - You're the One That I Hate! (During hiatus FORBIDDEN BROADWAY played a sold-out engagement at The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts Center in Miami).
Featured in the cast are: Christina Bianco, Jared Bradshaw, Gina Kreiezmar and Michael West, with musical direction by David Caldwell. FORBIDDEN BROADWAY DANCES WITH THE STARS! is created, written and directed by Gerard Alessandrini and co-directed by Phillip George. Costumes are by Alvin Colt with additional costumes by David Moyer. Sets are by Megan K. Halpern and lighting is by Mark T. Simpson.
The show won the 2008 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revue. In producer John Freedson’s acceptance speech he said: “We accept this award in memory of the great costume designer Alvin Colt, who elevated our show and our lives for 15 years” FORBIDDEN BROADWAY has won a total of six Drama Desk Awards over the years, and is also a recipient of the Tony© Honor for Excellence in the Theatre.
FORBIDDEN BROADWAY has been an unstoppable force in New York theatre since 1982 when Gerard Alessandrini created the first parody lampooning the Broadway shows and stars of the day. It is a favorite among theatre lovers as well as Broadway stars (Kathleen Turner, Raul Esparza, Christine Ebersole, Patti LuPone, the cast of Spring Awakening, Cheyenne Jackson, Bernadette Peters, Carol Channing, Stephen Sondheim, Cameron Mackintosh, and Hal Prince among others), who often stop by to laugh at themselves. FORBIDDEN BROADWAY has won numerous awards in its history including the 2006 Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre, six Drama Desk Awards, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, Obie, and Lucille Lortel Awards. A theatrical institution, FORBIDDEN BROADWAY has received national and international notoriety, racking up over 15,000 performances in more than 200 US cities as well as engagements in London, Tokyo, Singapore and Sydney.
The playing schedule will be as follows: Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm and Sundays at 7:30 pm, with matinees on Wednesdays at 2:00 pm, Saturdays at 4:00 pm, and Sundays at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $65 Saturday, Sunday and Monday evenings - and $60 all other performances. For tickets call (212) 239-6200. For Group Sales call (212) 840-5564.
FORBIDDEN BROADWAY STARTS THIS WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PLEASE DONATE TO THIS IF YOU CAN!
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Hi Everyone I hope that you are all enjoying your summer so far. Things have started out really great for us at Help Is On The Way Today. This past Monday DIVAPALOOZA 10 was a huge success with a great show and full house we raised enough money to send a child with HIV to camp this summer. So now we move on to our next two drives. In July we kick off Project Backpack that's our annual drive where we collect new backpacks and school supplies for the kids living with HIV and AIDS and send them back to school with everything they need. In 2006 we collected 22 backpacks for all the children living at a group home we work with in Washington Heights. Last year we had a huge success collecting over 250 backpacks letting us help some many more children in New York. You can help in several ways,one by going out and buying a new backpack and supplies. We are not looking for expensive backpacks you will find that most dollar stores sell backpacks for less then $10. Or if you do not have time to shop you can mail us a check and we will be glad to do the shopping for you. Finally if you work in an office or business that might be interested in helping we can also set you up with a collection box which we will drop off and then come and pick up. The Drive ends the third week of August. Our other drive is our 40 Angels Drive,we are looking for 40 people who are willing to donate $100.00. We need to raise over $4000.00 to buy a wheelchair for a very special boy named David. Many of you have heard of David's story. David is the reason Help Is On The Way Today exsists. I met David three years ago when I was visiting the Children's Incarnation Center. I was touring the facility and saw David laying in a hospital bed with mesh netting over it. I was told David was living with HIV as well as Cerebral Palsy. David was in need of a new motorized wheelchair. The home had submitted the paperwork twice and Medicaid lost it both times finally on the third time they refused David his chair. So me and the Diva's put on a show and in one night we raised enough money to buy David the chair. Well three years have gone by and David is doing very well and growing as little boys do. And once again David is in need of a chair and once again the system is letting him down. If I had $4000 I would never even be writing this email to you because David is very special to me and I would buy him the chair if I could. I founded this organization so that no child living with HIV in New York would fall through the cracks or be forgotten and I will not let that happen. Meeting David changed my life I hope you will consider helping change his. Thanks Joseph Thank you for your time. If you decide to mail us a donation you can make the check out to Help Is On The Way Today 52-30 65th Place Maspeth NY 11378 Apt 2c C/O Joseph Macchia mark in the memo area which drive you are donating too.
Do You Have Experience Selling Advertising?
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Corine's Corner is looking for a part time sales person to sell advertising for the site. To apply: Email: Corine@corinescorner.com. Commission sales position.
Do You Love Theater, Food and Cultural Events?
  Looking for videographers, photographers and editors to edit video. If you're interested please email me here: Corine@corinescorner.com. Corine's Corner is expanding: Need people to cover the following: 1. Photographers who love to cover food events and to take photos of food. 2. Videographers who take videos and can edit video for the site: Cover wine and food events. 3. Videographers who can cover NYC tourism events. Perks. Incentives and more. Also seeking Interns.
MADAME IS BACK!
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 I am so excited I get to see my favorite hussy on Thursday. Madame's back. Last year when I saw Madame at her show she gave a shout out to me. It was hysterical and I can't wait to see her on Thursday. Why don't you join us!
BROADWAY IN BRYANT PARK SCHEDULE: STARTS JULY 10TH!
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  Enjoy free lunchtime Broadway performances in Bryant Park Bryant Park is located behind the New York Public Library from 40th to 42nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenues. The closest subway to Broadway in Bryant Park is the 7 or B/D/F/V to 42nd Street/Bryant Park. The concerts are mostly on Thursday afternoons beginning at 12:30 p.m. and last approximately 1 hour. Admission is free.
Performers from each Broadway show perform 2-3 songs during these hour-long lunchtime concerts. There are plenty of chairs and tables throughout Bryant Park, though you may want to bring a blanket if you want to sit on the grass.
2008 Broadway in Bryant Park Schedule
Thursday, July 10 Chicago Monty Python’s Spamalot Cry Baby [title of show] Stomp
Thursday, July 17 Avenue Q The Phantom of the Opera Mamma Mia! In the Heights Pure Country
Thursday, July 24 The Lion King Passing Strange Hairspray Godspell A Catered Affair
Thursday, July 31 The Little Mermaid Altar Boyz Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy Jump A Tale of Two Cities
Thursday, August 7 Spring Awakening Gypsy Xanadu Mary Poppins Wicked
Friday, August 14 Grease Young Frankenstein Rent Legally Blonde The Musical 13
CORINE'S CORNER CELEBRATES THREE YEARS!
   Interviewing Paulo Szot was enchanting.   Matt and Kelli from South Pacific. (They are so attractive and nice)  My favorite bear- The Charles Busch bear. (Isn't it fabulous!)  The day I interviewed Kathy Brier. It was an honor!  The Bad Idea Bears. (It was a bad idea!)  One of my favorite events (FB!)  Dear reader,Thank you very much for coming to my little site. I would love to meet you.If you are over 21 with valid id, please come to a happy hour which will celebrate my little corner in the internet sky. Come introduce yourself to me.Half Priced drinks:5:45-9 pm.Dessert supplied by me.Hope you can make it.RSVP: Corine@corinescorner.comThanks for visiting.Bamboo 5252nd between 8th and 9th. July 2 from 5-9.
INTERVIEW WITH CYNTHIA NIXON- MIRANDA'S CORNER!
     Cynthia Nixon Grows Up In Sex And The City. Here's another interview from the press day with the "Sex And The City" cast. Cynthia Nixon's character Miranda Hobbes seems the polar opposite to Samantha Jones, the character played by Kim Catrall so it seemed like another good round table interview for ultimate "Sex AndThe City" fan Corine to run on her Corner.—Brad Balfour Brad Balfour: What was it like to re-enter the world of "Sex and the City?" Cynthia Nixon: I didn't lose a beat. I have to say when I dyed my hair and looked in the mirror I was like, "Oh my God [laughs]." It took me a back a little more then I thought it would. The main thing was to reallybelieve it was actually happening. Then once we were back into it, it was no problem. Brad Balfour: What was your reaction when you saw the film for the first time? Cynthia Nixon: A huge amount of relief [laughs]. I thought if [director] MichaelPatrick [King] is going to write it then it's going to be great. Then I read it and it was great. Then we were filming and I was like, "it's going to be great" but you never really know until you know. It's scary when there is so much anticipation, hype, and appetite [for it]. Brad Balfour: Did your theatre experience help you add depth to your character Miranda; were you mad at her for being the way she is? Cynthia Nixon: No. I feel like it's hard not to have sympathy for Miranda. Sometimes she's so much her own worst enemy. She is such a bulldog and has so much anxiety that she reacts so quickly, because she is so afraid of being vulnerable. Now about my theatre training—I don't know. I feel that I've been acting for 30 years and I feel like everything goes into the pot; mylife experience and [all my] acting experience. Brad Balfour: How much do you relate to your character? Cynthia Nixon : I relate to her in some ways. I feel like it's very easy, I think a lot of woman can relate to how thinly spread she is. How she has a job, she has a home, she's got a child, she's got a husband, and all of these things are screaming for her attention, and she's spread so thin that she feels that she's failing at all of them. I feel like that's a real trap that working parents have to watch out for. You might be putting a check mark next to every item on your list, but if someone says "what time is it?" you scream at them,"you're really not [asking]…." Brad Balfour: With regards to the movie, what are your thoughts on forgiveness and giving someone a second chance? It seems to be its main theme Cynthia Nixon : I definitely think everyone deserves a second chance. Whether they deserve a sixth, seventh, or eighth chance is another question. I think that's one of the things [you can offer] when you get older. Sometimes when you are young, things seem very black and white—these people are the villains and these people are the heroes—but when you get older and live a bit more, you see there is a lot of nuance. You see, basically, we are all here together so how are we going to get along? In the beginning of the show we would break up with guys atthe drop of a hat. He's a little cross-eyed, I hate that shirt he wears I can't see him anymore. After a certain point you can't justkeep eliminating people. You have to be like, "these are my people for better or worse and I'm going to do what I can to work it out with them. Brad Balfour: How do you balance being a working mom and actress? Cynthia Nixon : You got to delegate as much as you can. You got to really understand what your priorities are, and they probably shouldn't be the laundry [laughs]. Brad Balfour: You have one of the more provocative scenes in the movie. Did you have to do any special preparation for that nude scene? Cynthia Nixon: Well Michael Patrick talked to me about it. He and David Eigenberg[who plays Miranda's estranged husband Steve] talked about where David's hands were going to be, they really glistened me up quite a bit. They lit it very carefully and I felt pretty well taken care of. Brad Balfour: What effect do you think the show is going to have on the youth of today? Cynthia Nixon: I think we are a youth-oriented culture, in terms of the young market and how people chase that. Also, in terms of woman and their sexuality, I think we have greatly extended that recently. You look at those old movies and Andy Hardy's parents [Hardy is a character played by Mickey Rooney in 1930s], they look like 75. There was no sense of,like maybe the mom is 40 and hot. For women my age and older, and for younger women who are going to be that age one of these days, I think that "SATC" can have a really positive impact. I worry more about the younger women that I see around, that they have the belief that some how because we dress this way in the series and the movie, that somehow that we're real and they should be dressing this way everyday. Their hair has to be done and they have to be wearing high heels and a different dress everyday and have a thousand-dollar hand bag. I worry more about the girls who are following us like it's a blueprint [for that]. Brad Balfour: How do you feel about the film dealing with the consumption of fashion labels and brands--what are the moral implications? Cynthia Nixon: There are people who find us an anti-feminist show, which I don't think [it is] at all, I think we are a feminist show; I think the thing that saves us from being purely propaganda is the fact that we have these indulgences and weaknesses and foibles and we do things we shouldn't do. We buy things we shouldn't buy and I think it makes the characters real. Women are so encouraged to put themselves last, to put their children first, to put their husbands first, or who ever it is, and worry constantly about someone else. Even though I don't support spending this kind of money on shoes or bags or dresses… It is a [sort] of political statement... "I value myself, I'm worth it, and I'm going to give myself a present. Brad Balfour: New York City always seems like another character in the show. Was it always important for you that they shoot the film in New York? Cynthia Nixon: Yes. When we started doing [the show] we had no idea it would take off like this; but when I was first sent the script I thought I had to maximize my chances of getting in this. It's really interesting. It's about women, which is so interesting, and unusual—and more important the other [reason]—is that it shoots in New York and so little [is shot] here. It's definitely one of the reasons I got teamed up with [the series] in the first place, and then, of course, it continued to shoot here and that was just an incredible thing. Brad Balfour: It is so mind boggling how universal the show is... Cynthia Nixon: That was our main thought when we started doing the series. These are four very specific-aged women in a very high income bracket[living on] this tiny little postage stamp that is Manhattan. I say anyone other then the 10,000 women who are these women going torelate to this? But amazingly, yeah. Brad Balfour: Do you think there is a fantasy element that's part of the appeal to the show? Cynthia Nixon: I think there is definitely a fantasy element to the show. When people come up to me on the street and say, "I just came from Iowa two weeks ago. Your show made me come here." I'm like, "Oh no!" [Laughs] Brad Balfour: Was there a scene or sequence that you filmed where you felt like,"Yes, we're back" Cynthia Nixon: I have to say that when we were walking down the street the very first day, in our high heels and our outfits, we were doing our dialogue and trying to stay in unison, I was like, and "I can't believe this we're back." It was the third day of shooting but it was the first day that Kim and I shot Cynthia Nixon: How do you feel about the idea that Miranda's happiness is inexorably linked to Steve? Cynthia Nixon : I feel like her happiness is inexorably linked to her relationship with Steve but I also felt that the reason her relationship with Steve blew up was that she painted herself into this corner, this angry,unhappy, stressed out, over extended corner. Basically what Steve did got her out of that corner. It's not just that she can't be happy without Steve, but it's like what she did to the two of them, more then to anyone herself, was destructive and she had to rethink and find a way to be loving again and be joyful in her relationship and every other aspect of her life. Corine Cohen: I wanted to thank Brad Balfour for giving me these interviews. I am a very big fan of the series and the film and hope the rest of the interviews from the film will be up soon. In the meantime, go and see The Sex And The City Film and you can watch the reruns on TV. Cynthia Nixon is over 40 and fabulous! Thanks to Cynthia and Brad for this wonderful interview!
INTERVIEW WITH THE ONE AND ONLY VALERIE FAGAN!
    Val as Mary Poppins- Practically Perfect in everyway. (Photos by Maryann Lopinto)  On her phone- Photo by Maryann Lopinto. I have been seeing Valerie Fagan for the past several years in Forbidden Broadway, the recent Drama Desk winner for best Revue. I hope to do a video interview in the near future as Val is one of my favorite performers!
Interview with Val Fagan;
Corine Cohen: Hi, Val. It is pretty funny that they have you listed as Val Fag on Broadway world. Hopefully, they will change it when this article is published. (Not that there is anything wrong with that but your name is FAGAN! They could make a skit out of that next season! I hear that you are out this summer because you are in something else. What are you in this Summer?
Val Fagan: (I know! I hope they change it soon….it’s so wrong!) Yeah, in March I was offered two shows. The first was “The Producers” at North Shore Music Theatre (I just finished it a couple of weeks ago.) The next show this summer is called “Basement Church Ladies.” (It’s a hilarious musical where I play a 1960’s housewife who’s desperately trying to become the head cook in a small Minnesota church.) I really miss my FB family though. I just needed to take a little break this summer. ;)
Corine Cohen: I am sure they will miss you, I know I will! Tell me, you are hysterical as "Merman" in Forbidden Broadway. You are so spot on, is that your favorite character in FB?
Val Fagan: Yes, by far! You know what I love about Ethel? She was so open “What you saw was what you got.” She was so lovably real. Of course she had “star quality” and that amazing voice But, when you got right down to it, she just seemed like such a great gal, you know? I think if she were alive today, we would see her gabbing on “The View,” belting out a few numbers during the commercial break and giving Elizabeth Hasselbeck a piece of her mind when the camera came back on.
Corine Cohen: She went to school with my Grandma and I would have loved to see that VIEW Episode! Happy Summer!
There is nothing that is more beautiful than a gorgeous Orchid Plant. Tonight, I hit the goldmine. A man was selling many precious orchids for a mere $10.00 as it was the end of his shift. I purchased a stunning 8 flower plant which sits next to my purple plant.
They are perfect flowers and very exotic. If I was a plant I would be a rare, small orchid plant.
Happy Summer,
Corine
THE WAR OF THE ROSES!
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 Welcome to the mother of all cattle calls… the DIVA CALL! Liza & Barbra & Peggy & Carol are all auditioning to grab the spotlight & win the role of a lifetime! THE WAR OF THE ROSES returns for TWO SHOWS ONLY - Saturday June 21 at 8 & 10pm! Written & directed by RICK SKYE, with Musical Direction by MICHAEL FERRERI, THE WAR OF THE ROSES is an explosion of wigs, glitter & feathers, starring the "award winning-est" group of impersonators along the Rialto…STEVEN BRINBERG ("Simply Barbra”), RICK SKYE ("A Slice O' Minnelli"), CHUCK SWEENEY ("Miss Peggy Lee") , MAGGIE GRAHAM (“Carol Channeling") & a ghost appearance by MARIAN STEINER as "Ethel Merman." Add special guest SCOTT NEVINS as the director with a dilemma & a decision to make & it becomes what Adam Feldman of Time Out New York calls “a veritable bouquet of Roses offered up in a campy valentine to Broadway at its best.” DATES: TWO SHOWS ONLY!!! Saturday, June 21st @ 8 & 10pm PLACE: The Reprise Room at Dillon’s ~ 245 West 54th Street TICKETS: $40 @ 8pm/$25 @ 10pm RESERVATIONS: (212)352-3101 or www.theatermania.com/content/show.cfm/show/143104http://www.myspace.com/warofthemamaroses
THE CITY NEVER SLEEPS. I'M MAD AS HECK!
 The slogan" The City That Never Sleeps" is a common phrase about NYC. Lately, with all the construction in my area I can't sleep and it is driving me batty.
They are building across the street from where I live and at 7 AM, THE LOUD NOISE AND BANGING BEGINS and it does not end till at least 6 PM.
BAM BAM BAM. I'M MAD AS HELL AND I NEED MY SLEEP!!!!
TURN OFF THE NOISE.
YELLS! Corine
Broadway By The Year 1979! A Very Good Year For Theater!
 Emily Skinner Max Von Essen and his family.
Jason Graae and Jeff McCarthy they are fabulous! BROADWAY BY THE YEAR
THE BROADWAY MUSICALS OF 1979
Director: Emily Skinner
Musical Director: Ross Patterson
Created, Written, Hosted: Scott Siegel
RUNNING ORDER:
Ballad of Sweeney Todd [Sweeney Todd] – Group (It was so thrilling)
They’re Playing My Song [They’re Playing Our Song] – Jason
Buenos Aires [Evita] – Terri (I could listen to her all night)
Sarava [Sarava] – Melinda [DANCE]
Fallin’ [They’re Playing Our Song] – Scott Coulter
It’s Going to be Good to be Gone [I Remember Mama] –
Jeff w/Melinda, Terri, Lorin, Sarah
Immigration Rose [Sugar Babies] – Jason w/John, Chuck, Scott
A Little Bit More [I Remember Mama] – Sarah
I’m a Woman [Carmelina] – Emily
You I Like [The Grand Tour] – Jeff & Jason
Daddy [1940s Radio Hour] – Noah & Melinda [DANCE]
Johanna [Sweeney Todd] – Max [UNPLUGGED]
Epiphany [Sweeney Todd] – Jeff [UNPLUGGED
Intermission
I’m Keepin’ Myself Available For You/Exactly Like You
[Sugar Babies] – Noah & Melinda [DANCE]
Rainbow High [Evita] – Terri w/Chuck, Jason, , Scott
High Flying Adored [Evita] – Max
Green Finch & Linnet Bird [Sweeney Todd] – Sarah
Mrs. S.L. Jacobowsky [The Grand Tour] – Jason
More and More, Less and Less [The Grand Tour] – Emily & Jeff w/Jason
On This Night of a Thousand Stars [Evita] – Scott, Noah & Lorin [DANCE]
I Could Kill Her [Carmelina] – Chuck [UNPLGGED]]
Not While I’m Around [Sweeney Todd] – Scott
Oh, What a Circus [Evita] – Max
Don’t Cry for Me Argentina [Evita] – Terri
I Belong Here [The Grand Tour] – Emily w/Company [UNPLUGGED]
Broadway By The Year 1979:
It was a fabulous year for Theater even if the economy was one of the worst since the depression. 1979 was one of my favorite years of Broadway.
Evita was my favorite show in 1979 but I also adore They're Playing Our Song with Robert Klein and Lucy Arnaz.
Photos by Maryann Lopinto.
 Melinda Sullivan and Noah Racey Noah did all of the dance numbers and it was the best part of the show. I could watch them dance all night! Noah is a Broadway By The Year favorite.
Sarah Uriate Berry
Jason Graae is a favorite of mine. He is so perky!!!
The one and only Scott Coulter!
Scott Coulter who saved the day when John Treacy Egan had to pull out at the last minute.
 Jeff McCarthy and his hot women harem! Jeff McCarthy, Sarah Uriarte Berry, Max Von Essen and Scott Coulter.
Jeff McCarthy, Sarah Uriarte Berry, Max Von Essen and Scott Coulter.  Terri Klausner who sang songs from one of my favorite shows of 1979 EVITA! I saw Patti LuPone. It was one of the shows that made me a theater geek for life. The first show that did that for me was PIPPIN and before that it was the Paper Bag Players.
Max Von Essen Photos by Maryann Lopinto.
I AM VERY UPSET!
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 Photo by Mark Rupp  Dear Corine's Corner readers, Please go and see A CATERED AFFAIR the show will close on July 27th and it is such a brilliant and wonderful musical. You need to see it. It will touch you in a very special way. I just found out and I am very sad about it. It was one of my favorite shows this season and I will be sad to see it go so soon into the run. Call 212-239-6200. It is a musical with heart, soul and an incredible cast. All the best to the sensational Leslie Kritzer, Tom Wopat, Faith Prince and my favorite: Harvey Fierstein (Even if he does not know that I exist, I love his work.)
Interview With Michael Presser by Corine Cohen.
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 Interview with Michael Presser who started INSIDE BROADWAY.
Corine Cohen: I love the work you do at INSIDE BROADWAY. You are helping bring children to the theater at an early age. Can you tell me any stories of kids that have contacted you about being involved in the theater later in life.
Michael Presser: This work is so special and gives people so much enjoyment. Over the 25 years of Inside Broadway there have been many examples of students who visited Broadway through our program and later brought their own children to the theatre. Recently, I was visiting with a member of the NY City Council who mentioned that she had seen DREAMGIRLS through our program. Several years ago we were interviewing some potential stage directors for one of our productions, and the fellow mentioned that he had participated in our program and met Bernadette Peters. Well, we went back to the files and there was indeed a picture of him with Bernadette Peters during a post performance Q & A at SONG AND DANCE. We also have a professional choreographer and several actors out there who are our graduates. Over the 25 years of Inside Broadway we estimate over seven hundred and fifty thousand students have participated in our programs. We currently have over 25,000 students in 85 schools that participate in our programs each year. That really is an awesome number and an excellent example of audience development. It also shows that if you give people an opportunity, they will use it and appreciate it!
Corine Cohen: How did Inside Broadway happen, 26 years ago? And could you tell me the history of Inside Broadway and Creating The Magic.
Michael Presser: The original idea came from Bernie Jacobs, the late president of The Shubert Organization. Bernie asked me to organize a school ticket program for the Broadway production of CATS. From that many other projects developed including our fabulous CREATING THE MAGIC seminar program in which we demonstrate, from the stage of a Broadway theater, the technical behind the scenes workings of a major musical production. We stared that program about 15 years ago and have worked with most of the major musicals that have played on Broadway during that period. Recently we had a fabulous program with HAIRSPRAY at the Neil Simon Theatre and we celebrated our 25th anniversary season with a special concert of music from Broadway shows at the Winter Garden Theatre, the home of CATS. In fact, to conclude that concert and mark our anniversary, we released 1,000 blue and white balloons (the official Inside Broadway colors) from the ceiling of the theatre.
Corine Cohen: I have been to several events and am also blown away by the reactions from the children. You are doing a great service to Broadway! What is next?
Michael Presser: Our programs now reach children from kindergarten to high school levels. In addition, this season we have started operating theatre arts workshop programs in 18 senior citizen centers throughout the city. We really go from 8 to 80, and beyond! The children are absolutely fascinated with live theater, since they are living in a period when most forms of entertainment are pre-recorded, the live experience is something special for them,. They are always fascinated with actors and very interested in how one makes a career in the theater, and of course, the technical aspects of theatre production are very interesting to them. The seniors grew up with Broadway and therefore have a strong interest and experience with theater. I don’t have to explain FIDDLER ON THE ROOF to them!
Corine Cohen: If you never started Inside Broadway what would you be doing instead?
Michael Presser: Before I started Inside Broadway I had a very interesting career as a concert artist manager. I would probably have stayed there and helped artists organize and expand their careers. Managers are a bit unknown to the general public since they work behind the scenes, but they really are instrumental in helping develop successful careers for performers. I don’t think I would be an actor. I have no need to be on the stage, although people are telling I do a great job moderating the CREATING THE MAGIC programs, but I do enjoy the creativity of putting it together and working with different kinds of people to make that happen.
Corine Cohen: What can we expect this year? Any other events you can share?
Michael Presser: Next season we will be producing an Equity production of the great musical SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ which will tour to schools throughout the city. Our production will play about 150 performances and introduce children to music of the great songwriters Leiber and Stoller. We will also operate our teaching artist workshop program called BUILD A MUSICAL in about 35 schools. These workshops help children produce their own musical theatre productions, so there’s your next generation of actors, producers and designers. We will also continue and expand our senior citizen programs and are planning to offer a special performance of SMOKEY JOE’S CAFE for them, and there will certainly be another CREATING THE MAGIC program, probably next spring. I think it will be another exciting season and I can’t wait to see those kids hearing STAND BY ME performed live in their school auditorium. That’s what we are all about!
Thank you, Michael Presser for encouraging love for the Theater at an early age. I wish they had this program when I was a child! Interview by Corine Cohen
Photo Coverage of 100 YEARS AT BARNEY GREENGRASS!
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 Photo of cake by Corine Cohen  Gary and Sharron Greengrass, Alec Baldwin and Barney Greengrass. The Greengrass' threw a big party for their friends and family (and the press) to celebrate 100 years of the best smoked fish in NYC. They know how to throw a party. The event was full of many celebrities as well as many VIPS. Mandy Patinkin sang Happy Birthday to a very well attended group. It was a great event. I hope Barney Greengrass will be around for 100 more years! Try the sturgeon and smoked salmon sandwich with a shmear of scallion creamcheese. It is my favorite fish sandwich in NYC. Cheers to Gary and Barney Greengrass! http://www.barneygreengrass.com/ People having fun at the one and only Barney Greengrass!   I wanted to thank John Halpern for sending me these fabulous photos of the Barney Greengrass 100 Year Celebration that took place last evening.
All photos are copyrighted by John and can not be used without his permission.
SEX AND THE CITY'S KIM CATTRALL- INTERVIEW BY BRAD BALFOUR.
  Kim Cattrall Takes On The City by Brad Balfour. When I heard that my friend Corine had already had her ticket for the first screening on the opening day of "Sex And The City," I knew I had to give her transcripts of the roundtable interviews that I conducted with the cast and director of this film—four years in the making.It was a wonderful day talking to all of them in preview of the film's debut. And since Kim Cattrall is her favorite I got this to her as soon as it was transcribed and cleaned up. I will let Corine take it from here to write what she wants about her favorite show and movie. And more will be coming from those sessions.—Brad Balfour Q: When you first started acting in Toronto what did your parents think of your career choice and what do you they think of it now? KC: Actually it goes further back than Toronto. When I was about 10years old I did a play. I played a cold germ infecting a whole classroom full of kids [laughs]. It was called "Piffle is only a Sniffle." I only had a big feather that I was tickling under their nose and I had wings on my back. I thought I was so hot [laughs].Then I did musical festivals and competitions. I did very well and then in '68 I went with my mom to England on a family visit and my great aunt was a teacher and I stayed and did these exams. My parents were [happy] because I was a good student, but I wasn't exceptional. I had a lot of friends, but I was a bit of a geek, not really a popular girl or anything. I hit upon acting and I just couldn't get enough of it. I wanted to go to the community theater, to watch movies, to read about actors, to learn about acting, to read plays and they go texcited by the fact that I was channeled in one area or another,because my sister was in a more academic route where she didn't know what to do. They were incredibly supportive and one thing seemed to lead to another. They were a 100% behind me. For a period of time my family became my cheering section. They were just very excited by the plays I was doing. They would drive all the way across the country to see a play I was doing in Toronto, where I did the "Rocky Horror PictureShow" and played Janet. They had never seen a show like that. It kind of opened up the family to a whole new experience, not just for me andwhat I was doing but for the world and to travel and it's continued tobe that way. Q: Do you like the way your character has evolved to this point in the film and does it feel comfortable to you? KC: Yes it does! I really love the fact that I am in a big Hollywood movie about woman that one of them is turning 50. I think that's never been done before [laughs]. I'm really proud to be part of something that allows that to happen. In the series, Samantha always lied about her age; she never said what her age was, and here, you see her at the beginning of the film, she's given up her home city, she's given up her business, she's starting all over again, as a sign of faith to be monogamous to this man. I said at the end of the series, "I don't know if this is going to last[laughs]."You can try to be somebody else but ultimately you can't do it, you just can't do it. The fact that at the end of the film she is the one who remains single is truthful to the show much more than the television ending was. Q: Do you think she slept with her neighbor next door in L.A.? KC: What do you think [laughs]? I just wish they did my close up on his shower scene last instead of first, because it was extraordinary[laughs]. Q: Samantha seems to have body issues. Do you relate to her character in this way? KC: Of course I do. I'm human, she lives in fantasy land [laughs] I'm a real woman of course I do yeah. That's what's great about doing a show where you feel so confident about the hands that you're in. John Thomas shot the television show for six and half years and he lit us all beautifully. I felt so safe; could I do what she does as Kim? No! Q: Do you go to the gym or have trainer to prepare for being exposed in the film? KC: I work out. I grew up in a generation where a woman did work out. I mean Jane Fonda was one of my heroes. [Laughs] It's always been apart of my life, to be in shape so I can withstand a 19-hour day, and to look good to work in my profession. I was doing a program for PBS,"My Boy Jack," where I was playing a woman from 1914 to 1918. So I went from these really high collars to high heels within a two week break. I didn't have a lot of time to work out, for me it's about dieting; it's more about what I eat then exercising. Q: What was it like watching the final movie, was it very emotional? KC: This has been 10 years out of our lives and we've put so much in to it. The bar was so freaking high when we left and I always thought can we match it, are their stories that still need to be told. I'm so glad Michael came up with the script. I think he did a fabulous job. He took these four characters and brought them together in this seamless way. I sat there at the screening with five people, it was freezing cold in the room, and I was so nervous.You do the scenes that you're in and you hope those are good and then you see what was made of the rest of the movie and that's the most exciting part of it because you've just been concentrating in your own little world. That's the tough thing about movies, you don't get the whole flow of it you just do your bit. When the music started and the credits…it's just chilling. Q: Did you feel like you missed a beat between the show and the movie? KC: I really didn't. It fit like a glove, the read through, the first couple of pages everyone was nervous and very emotional and then after the fifth or sixth page it was like we were back. Q: What did you think of Samantha's clothes? KC: I loved them. First of all, working with Pat Fields was fantastic. She's so creative but she always listened to what I needed to make it work, since I do so much physical comedy. That was really helpful. Q: Where does Samantha get her sexual openness? KC: I think she has a tremendous amount of confidence. She is a little bit older than the others so she comes from little more experience. I think she has lived a very full life. I think that fearlessness about her is what makes her so attractive.She doesn't care if it's the wrong color, she doesn't care if it's taboo. It's a waste of her time. She doesn't sweat the small stuff,she just lets it go. I mean her vulnerability shows when it's intimacy. She can't really deal with that. She can't get down in that way. I think she has, what comes with age, is that knowledge of self. Q: Do you guys talk about how the four characters complement each other? KC: I remember Jenny Bicks, one of our terrific writers on "SATC,"said that she felt the four women really represented a complete woman.Four aspects that are strong drives in any woman; contemplatives,sexuality, fear, and aggression. We are supposed to be such good girls all time and we are just as vital and alive as any man is in all of those areas. We just have to go about it in a different way. They're archetypes, all four of them. I think that's why they resound with an audience. Q: Do you think this opens up more roles for woman in their 40s and 50s? KC: It better [laughs]... because this is the audience and they want to capture that audience that will hopefully see a movie like "Sex And the City." You know they make movies for 17- and 18-year olds because they go and see it three or four times, they just don't see it once. A lot of men and woman are saying I actually would like to see it again and that is like a studio's dream [laughs] but they have to be smart or the audience is not going to stay. Q: What role do you think your looks had in landing roles earlier in your career? KC: I was trained as a theater actress, so when I was signed to a Universal contract all I really wanted to do was get in front of a camera. It was a rep situation for me. I was basically playing victim of the week, one week I was raped, the next week I was blind, one week. I was shunned [laughs]. It was always these women in peril but I was also 19 at the time so I was playing a young frightened ingenue.Then I did a film called "Porky's" and I became the sex kitten that didn't work for a while [laughs]. Then I started playing girlfriends,best friends, and then kooky aunts. Then this came along. I would always take projects to feed my theater habit. I was one of the few actors in Hollywood who would continue to do plays because I was on contract and couldn't leave. I thought if I could do a play for at least six weeks or a work shop, I thought of it as a rite of passage.I couldn't make enough money to live off of theater. I did it, I survived.It's funny as an actor you say, "if I could just join Equity, if I could just get an agent, if I could just get screen actors guild, if I could just get a good part," and it seems where ever your career is at, there is always another tier that you're going for [laughs]. This has been such a peak in every way, because the writers knew who they were writing for, the actors knew the characters so well. It's like anything in life; the more you do it the better you get at it, the deeper the experience. Q: Were you cast in those early films because of your pretty face? KC: I didn't feel that way at the time, because even to get those roles it was highly competitive. I was auditioning against other contract players and other people who were freelance, and to keep working I thought it doesn't matter what the roles are right now I want to learn what the camera does. I wanted to know what it's like to be on a set. My first movie they said action and I thought, "You got to be kidding." [Laughs] Do they really say that? [Laughs] I really made an effort to learn on the job. I don't know how else to do it. It used to be you just do two of the Providence theaters. Now you start to do episodic TV if you want to continue to work in the business. Q: As shown in the movie, do you think everyone deserves a second chance? KC: It depends on what they have done [laughs]. I hope so, if it isn't too heinous. I love the way Michael has written it and the way it ended up in the film with a character like Samantha who is so supporting of her girlfriends that when Steve comes she is protective of him as well as apathetic to him because that is what so great about the character.She has lived a full life and you see that in the way she handles those situations. Q: Since New York is up on a pedestal in the film and a lot of jabs are made at LA, will there be a backlash? KC: I hope not. It's all done with a lot of fun. I think the spirit of the movie is never mean spirited. So hopefully the people in California will understand and if not what are you going to do?[Laughs] Q: What's next? KC: I have a project in development at HBO It's about a woman in a midlife crisis. Interview by Brad Balfour. Go see SEX AND THE CITY!!!!! It is my favorite movie in years. Samantha's character has always cracked me up and I am a woman that can't wait to see the film a second and hopefully third time. I want to own the movie. Go and see the movie. It is a Corine's Pick. Also, stay tuned. I will be interviewing Lynn Cohen- Magda for my site soon. Hopefully on video. (Comments by Corine Cohen Interview by Brad Balfour. Thanks, Brad for the interview. I would have killed to have attended that event. As, the show was my favorite of all time. (PS My Birthday is coming up and I could use the entire season on DVD!)
THE TOWN HALL PRESENTS THE SUMMER BROADWAY FESTIVAL!!!
THE TOWN HALL PRESENTS SUMMER BROADWAY FESTIVAL July 14 – A Night At the Operetta II July 21 – Broadway’s Rising Stars II July 28 – All Singin’ All Dancin’ II Tickets for Summer Broadway Festival are $25 - $50.00, and are available from TicketMaster, (212) 307-4100, or in person at The Town Hall Box Office, 123 West 43rd Street, New York, NY, (212) 840-2824.
THE TONYS WERE FABULOUS!
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 Good morning! I just wanted to post some of my thoughts about the Tonys. I was at the Tonys this year and it was so much fun to see the show live.
What I loved:
Whoopi Goldberg was the best host in a very longtime! The show was funny, entertaining and clever. I was more interested in what Goldberg would do next. Seeing her as Sebastian, and posing as other characters from the shows was wildly funny and very amusing. I hope they make Whoopi the host for the next 10 years. She's fabulous, funny and a joy to watch.
My favorite moments:
I loved the entrance of the Lion King. Seeing the elephants walking down the orchestra was really thrilling and the birds etc. It made me feel like a child again. It made me want to attend the LION KING for a second time. (Good idea by Disney!) The Little Mermaid number was not as strong but Sierra is wonderful!
I loved Lin-Manuel Miranda's passionate speech. It made me cry a little. The man has such passion and I was happy that he won many awards. He deserved them all.
Mark Rylance wacky speech. Most people didn't like it but I thought it was so bizarre it cracked me up. He is very funny and I look forward to seeing the interview we did at The Drama Desk Awards!
I adore the Tonys and must admit, see it live is more exciting than watching it on the tube.
Go to a Broadway show, Theater is love!
Whoopi!!! Corine Dana Cohen Also, I need to thank Christina for posting the winners on my site as they happened as I was at the Awards. Thank you, Christina!
YOUNG @ HEART!
YOUNG@HEART LIVE IN CONCERT FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY @ The Beacon Theatre New York Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. Watch these clips: taying Alive/I Will Survive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omIrLgQO9O0Road to Nowhere: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wgrM-R6yfYOfficial Trailer to the movie: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjnfoFg7i7gThe chorus on the Ellen show (half way through they sing “Hey Ya” – AMAZING): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_apDC-1HiR8NEW YORK, NY – YOUNG@HEART, the New England senior citizens chorus (ages range from 75-90) that has delighted audiences worldwide with their covers of songs by everyone from The Clash to Coldplay, is coming to the Beacon Theatre (2124 Broadway, NYC) in a rare and intimate evening, performing live in concert for one-night-only on Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. "These gyrating geriatrics travel around the world belting out rock classics and garnering rave reviews" —Time Magazine Currently being featured in the Award-winning documentary by Fox Searchlight Pictures, the inspiring individuals of YOUNG@HEART have proved it is possible to grow old without growing boring. Performing Sonic Youth’s dissonant rock anthem “Schizophrenia” and giving new meaning to James Brown's "I Feel Good," the Massachusetts-based group is made up of two dozen spirited seniors who specialize in reinterpreting rock, punk and R & B classics from a unique perspective. The documentary about this Chorus has been critically acclaimed and was selected by both Time Out and The Radio Times as the best documentary of 2006. The film also won the Rose D’Or Festival Best of 2007 Special Prize, the Golden Rose for Best Art Documentary and the Audience Award for the Best International Feature at the 2007 Los Angeles Film Festival. The YOUNG@HEART Chorus has performed a limited number of performances across the country. The June 22nd concert is the only chance to see the YOUNG@HEART Chorus perform in New York City this year. The Chorus will not perform in the United States for at least another year. When YOUNG@HEART had its beginning in a Northampton senior center in 1982, the members were all residents in the same housing project for the elderly. Now, singers come from all over the area to participate. The group has collaborated with several artists from the Pioneer Valley Gay Men’s Chorus to singing David Byrne of Talking Heads in New York and has toured European venues numerous times over the past 11 years. With a lineup that includes former schoolteachers, executives, doctors and food service workers, this group of seventy-, and ninety-something performers is guided by their longtime director Bob Cilman. “It’s certainly been an interesting process to watch from ‘82 to now. It’s changed my life dramatically. I started out working on a very simple art project that has evolved in an amazing way,” says choir director Bob Cilman. A few of the members have some professional performing history, like Elaine Fligman, who had a Catskills career with her husband, and Jeanne Hatch, who sang with big bands in Kansas City and was a child radio star. Mostly, though, they come from other disciplines. They love the way music and performing keeps them fit, even if Bob Cilman’s selections are sometimes a tough sell to a group that tends to listen to classical music and show tunes when they have the choice. The chorus is accompanied by accomplished musicians: Drummer Billy Arnold, of Junior Walker and the All-Stars; pianist Ed Wise, who was musical director for Martin Mull; saxophonist Paul Lieberman, who played with Brazilian percussionist and bandleader Airto Moreira; Chris Haynes, Springfield College music department director and jazz composer, plays the accordion; as well as guitarists Freddy Johnson, whose band Drunk Stuntmen released a number of CDs, and Jim Armenti from The Lonesome Brothers. Tickets to the Live Concert Performance YOUNG@HEART, priced from $46.00 to $101.00 are available at http://www.ticketmaster.com/ or 212-307-1000. Tickets can also be purchased at The Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway, NYC 10023. The Beacon Theatre Box Office is open Mon-Sat, 11 am – 7pm and Sun, 12 pm-6 pm. For more info, please visit youngatheartchorus.com. YOUNG@HEART is proudly presented at the Beacon Theatre by Jam Theatricals, Ltd.
I LOVE NATHAN LANE SO I AM POSTING THIS!
 My site's birthday is a few weeks before the show closes. The show is wonderful and Nathan Lane is incredible. Do yourself a favor and see it. You could also take me. I do have a Birthday on July 4th. The perfect show to see on July 4th. (Hint to my friends out there)
So Are You Excited About The TONYS?
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  Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot will make the awards an "Enchanting evening!"   I hope that YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN does "Putting on the Ritz) I love Shuler! (Photo by Mark Rupp)   The evil women in Xanadu.
The incredible Tom Wopat (Photo by Mark Rupp- I love him) You should all see his show at the Metropolitan Room!  The one and only Paulo Szot. Isn't he enchanting!!!!! (Photo by Maryann Lopinto)  Colman Domingo- The funniest man in PASSING STRANGE! The very talented Faith Prince who gives it her all in A Catered Affair. Her performance is breathtaking!!! Are you excited about the upcoming TONY AWARDS?
So, what are you excited about? I love it all. I am looking forward to seeing the "In The Heights" number. The dance is incredible in that show but also the dance in "Cry Baby" I hope they do the prison scene. The show should be packed with more musical numbers as this year many older shows will do numbers( Lion King.)
Hope you have a good time! (My predictions) 1. Best supporting actor in a musical: Danny Burstein for South Pacific but it could be close between Daniel Breaker for Passing Strange. Both deserve to win. My guess is it will be Danny but it could go either way and I would be happy if either won. 2. Best supporting actress in a musical: This award belongs to Laura Benanti. (She deserves to win and she is an absolute sweetheart.(She was one of my favorite people to interview at the Drama Desk Awards and I hope that video will be on my site soon!) 3. Best supporting Actress in a play: and Mary McCormack will take these for Boeing- Boeing.
She was so funny I had a hard time breathing as I was laughing so hard. She is hysterical and if you have not seen this show you need to now! 4. Best supporting actor should go to David Pittu for the very funny now dead "IS HE DEAD" This show was the biggest upset for me. It should have never closed. For me, it was the funniest show of the season. I went three times. Norbert being overlooked made me very angry. The last scene with the eye, leg and body parts section of the show had me gasping for air. I had tears of joy all over my face. (Wait till you see the interview on video that I did with Marylouise Burke!!!! Coming soon. 5. Best leading actress in a play: Deanna Dunagan August Osage County which will win Best Play. 6. Patti LuPone has no chance of losing Best actress in a musical for her incredible performance in GYPSY. She deserves to win but so does Kelli O'Hara.
7. Paulo Szot is sure to win for South Pacific. He gives the performance of a lifetime. If he does not win I will be very surprised and there is no justice in this World. 8. Lin-Manuel Miranda is sure to win several awards for his feel good musical In The Heights which was my Mother's favorite musical of the year(Granted she has not seen Passing Strange) I adore the show and hope it wins many awards. 9. Best Musical is really hard. I have no idea who will win but I think it will be between PASSING STRANGE and In The Heights. I adore both as well as Xanadu.
I am looking forward to:
1. Seeing Rob Ashford's incredible choreography in the Cry Baby number!
2. The South Pacific Number: I hope they do "Some Enchanted Evening." Or "Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair" to see another number from that perfect musical will make my week!(And did I mention Paulo Szot and Danny Burstein, I adore them.)
3. I can't wait to see Christian Siriano's designs for Whoopi Goldberg and the funny jokes that Bruce Vilanch wrote for her. (One can dream, and yes I know I am obsessed about Bruce but he is funny!)
4. Hoping they let Tom Wopat, Faith Prince and the rest of the cast sing a number of A CATERED AFFAIR. I am a big fan of the show but don't let Harvey sing!!!!! (I love him but I would rather hear the rest of the cast sing!!!) Hope they do Apricot Blossoms! (Faith Prince and Tom Wopat rule!!!) They really should have done that number on the VIEW.
5. I hope Chester Gregory will perform in The Tonys even if he is leaving the show and starring in Shrek. (CRY BABY)
6. I hope Colman Domingo will perform "What's Inside Is Just A Lie" but my guess is they will do "Amsterdam" from Passing Strange. (Would rather see Colman but I will live.)
7. Colman Domingo was my favorite part of PASSING STRANGE and that is no lie! (Love the entire cast but Colman is my favorite)
8. I love Xanadu and I hope they do EVIL WOMAN. In a perfect world that is my request. (And they were robbed!!!!!)
9. Did I mention my love for Xanadu? I will say it again. ;-)
10. I hope Laura, Patti and Boyd Gaines do a number together and I hope Laura wins for her incredible performance in GYPSY! (It is a given that Patti LuPone will win but Kelli also deserves to win. In a perfect world Patti and Kelli would tie. (And Gypsy and South Pacific would tie. The two shows were my favorite of the entire season and maybe my entire life at the Theater!)
Corine
PHOTO FLASH JAIME de Roy and Friends by Mark Rupp!
 The one and only Paul Shaffer from David Letterman and the very talented Jaime de Roy. I have seen many of Jaime's shows and this one was my favorite of all! I loved her new number "60 Going on 70" it was hysterical. Photos by Mark Rupp. Comments: Corine Dana Cohen  Amy Wolk, Josh Scheer and Tanya Holt. The sang a number from "Spring Awakening" which was totally hip!  Len Cariou and Celeste Holm Stephanie D'Abruzzo and Celeste Holm
Special Edition Jamie deRoy & friends
Songs from Tony Award® -Winning Musicals
featuring
Tony Award®-Winners
Len Cariou, Debbie Gravitte & Charles Strouse
along wtih
Loni Ackerman * Stephanie D’Abruzzo * KT Sullivan
and
Tanya Holt * Josh Scheer * Jon Weber *Amy Wolk
Wednesday, June 11th at Metropolitan Room
Celebrated cabaret performer Jamie deRoy concludes a monthly cabaret series of her Multi MAC Award-winning variety show, Jamie de Roy & friends on Wednesday, June 11th (7:30PM) at the New York hotspot Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street ~between 5th & 6th Avenues) with a an evening of songs from Tony Award®-winning Musicals.
Joining Jamie deRoy on June 11th will be Tony Award®-winners Len Cariou, Debbie Gravitte and three-time Tony Award®-winning composer Charles Strouse; Tony nominated actress Stephanie D'Abruzzo; Broadway veteran Loni Ackerman, MAC Award-winning KT Sullivan with jazz pianist Jon Weber and cabaret performers Tanya Holt, Josh Scheer and MAC Award-winning Amy Wolk. Award-winning director Barry Kleinbort will direct and Lanny Meyers will serve as musical director.
The colorful cabaret series, which has been thrilling New York City audiences for the past 16 years and serves as the basis for deRoy's award-winning cable television show, spotlights a wide variety of well-known entertainers and newcomers lighting up the cabaret, theater, and comedy worlds.
JAMIE deROY has won eight MAC Awards, four Back Stage Bistro Awards, ten Telly Awards and CaB Magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Award for her extensive work on both stage and screen. Jamie has appeared onstage with Joan Rivers and has headlined at many of New York’s major clubs. She has produced eight CDs in the Jamie deRoy & friends series on the Harbinger and PS Classics labels. Her theatre producing credits include Broadway: the upcoming Arthur Miller's All My Sons, London's Marguerite, George Steven Jr.'s Thurgood, Clifford Odets's The Country Girl, David Mamet’s November, Jay Johnson: The Two and Only, Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life, and Say Goodnight Gracie; Off-Broadway: Beebo Brinker Chronicles, Make Me A Song: The Music of William Finn, Dividing The Estate (Outer Critics Circle Award), Opus, Spalding Gray: Stories Left To Tell, Athol Fugard’s Exits and Entrances, Christopher Durang’s Adrift in Macao, A.R. Gurney's Indian Blood (Outer Critics Circle Award), Terrence McNally’s Dedication or The Stuff of Dreams, and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). Her TV and film producing credits include the Emmy-nominated "The Biggest Little Operas in Town" for Channel 13 and Rick McKay’s documentary Broadway: The Golden Age. Her acting credits include appearances on the television shows “Alice,” “Spiderman” and “Knight Rider,” and in the films GoodFellas, Raging Bull, See No Evil, Hear No Evil and Married to It. Onstage, Jamie appeared with Rene Auberjonois in The Threepenny Opera, as well as in The Drunkard with musical direction by Barry Manilow.
Jamie deRoy & friends at Metropolitan Room (34 West 22nd Street /between 5th and 6th Avenues) has a $25 cover charge plus a $15 minimum. For reservations, please call (212) 206-0440. Program is subject to change.
Daryl Glenn!
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 Please mention code Corine when you call for tickets for a $5.00 discount. Call 212-206-0440. Print this blog entry to save $5.00 off the cover. Reading has it's rewards.
Photo Flash- The Theatre World Awards.
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 DE'ADRE AZIZA- Who won for her performance in PASSING STRANGE!  Deanna Dunagan- Winner for August Osage County.She is the favorite for the Tonys this year. August should also take many awards at the Tonys on Sunday!
 Paulo Szot accepts his award.    Peter Filichia- The host!  Alec Baldwin- Always be closing!!!!  Bloody Mary- Loretta Ables Sayre from South Pacific. B.D WONG- Who won for M. Butterfly in 1988.  Rosie Perez- She was fabulous as Googie Gomez in " The Ritz"
 Mark Rylance from Boeing- BoeingStay tuned for our interview at the Drama Desk Awards coming soon!  Lin-Manuel Miranda He is so talented and I predict he will win many awards on Sunday!  The incredibly talented Lin- Manuel Miranda who presented an award to the fabulous Daniel Breaker of PASSING STRANGE!  Laura Linney  Carol Lawrence from West Side Story! Paulo Szot- The leading man in South Pacific!Our interview at the Drama Desk Nominations party will be up soon!
 South Pacific winners Paulo Szot and Loretta Ables Sayre
Loretta gave the most moving speech of the evening.
Go see South Pacific at Lincoln Center Theatre.
They will make it a very enchanting evening!
 Peter Filichia- The host. At an annual ceremony and during an afternoon party attended by former winners and invited members of the theatre community, six actresses and six actors are presented with a Theatre World Award for their Debut Performance in a Broadway or Off-Broadway production.
The Theatre World Award remains the oldest one given for a debut theatre performance on On or Off-Broadway. The contribution the Award has made to the theatre is incaluable. It is not a competition and is only given once. Because it is given for a debut performance, it encourages and inspires newcomers to the stage to continue to pursue their dream. It is freely given at a time when encouragement is so necessary in an industry known more for rejection than reception. The Theatre World Award winners are chosen by the Theatre World Awards committee, which is comprised of Peter Filichia (Theatermania.com), Harry Haun (Playbill), Matthew Murray (TalkinBroadway.com), Frank Scheck (New York Post), Michael Sommers (Newhouse Papers), Doug Watt (Critic Emeritus, New York Daily News), Linda Winer (New York Newsday), and coordinated by Peter Filichia, Theatre World Editor John Willis, and Theatre World Associate Editor Ben Hodges. From the http://www.theatreworldawards.com/Photos by Maryann Lopinto Captions: Corine Dana Cohen
CORINE'S CULINARY CORNER! BARNEY GREENGRASS CELEBRATES 100 YEARS!
 Happy Birthday Barney Greengrass!! May you stay open for 100 more years. Barney Greengrass is known for the best smoked fish bar none and after my sandwich today, I would have to agree that I have never had better sturgeon or nova.
They had a special menu and rolled back the prices which were from 1908.
 The sandwich is perfection. Barney Greengrass may not have a charming atmosphere but I have yet to find better Nova and sturgeon.
This sandwich was scrumptious. The nova melted in my mouth. It was worth every single calorie.
The sturgeon sandwich on a bagel.
Corine's Culinary Corner-
The 100 year celebration of Barney Greengrass. Growing up, my Father's favorite restaurant was Barney Greengrass. Every Father's Day and on his Birthday he wanted to go there. Today, the fabulous restaurant rolled back it's prices via 1908. It was worth the wait in gold. I had a nova and sturgeon sandwich (I prefer a bialy to a bagel any day.)
My sandwich was perfection and if you are smoked fish lover it is hard to beat the quality of Barney Greengrass (My sturgeon, nova and scallion cream cheese bialy was so good I wish I could eat another now!!!)
Written and photos by Corine Dana Cohen
This article is dedicated to Robert M. Cohen Barney Greengrass is on 86th and Amsterdam.
Menu from http//www.barneygreengrass.com
Sturgeon
$17.75
Nova Scotia Salmon
$12.75
Sturgeon and Nova Scotia Salmon
$18.75
Nova Scotia with Swiss Cheese
$13.75
Lox (Salty) and Cream Cheese
$12.75
Kippered (Baked) Salmon
$15.50
Kippered (Baked) Salmon with Nova Scotia Salmon
$15.50
Pastrami Salmon
$12.75
House Cured Gravlox
$12.75
Whitefish
$12.50
Whitefish and Nova Scotia Salmon
$14.00
Home Made Whitefish Salad
$10.00
Home Made Kippered Salmon Salad
$12.75
Sable
$14.00
Sable and Nova Scotia Salmon
$16.00
Canned Salmon
$8.00
Solid White Tuna Fish
$7.75
Home Made Chopped Herring
$8.00
Imported Sardines
$7.75
Home Made Egg Salad
$6.75
All Sandwiches served on Rye, Pumpernickel, Bagel or Bialy, with choice of Butter or Cream Cheese. Vegetable, Scallion, Fat Free or Lite Cream Cheese $0.60 cents extra Capers on Sandwich $0.75 cents extra Sandwiches Served Open Face $1.50 extraAdditional Bagels, Bialys or Rolls are 1.75 each All dishes served for two 1.00 extra
THANK YOU!
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 On July 4th, three years ago my little corner of the internet sky was born. I wanted to thank all of the people for making my dream a reality. 1. Richard Pearlman, thank you for making my site come to life. 2. Christina, thank you for all that you do for my site. We have been working together for over a year and it is a pleasure working with you. 3. Mark Rupp and Maryann Lopinto- Thank you for the photo coverage and for the friendship! You are so important to me and the site. 4. Mike Ortega- Thanks for the incredible work on the site. We have just started working together and I really love working with you. 5. Miriam Silverberg- Thanks for all of the help! 6.Thanks to all of the readers. Thanks for reading the site and tell your friends! I am currently getting over 76,000 hits a week and rising!!! 7. Thanks to Eddie Varley for his adorable drawings. XO, Corine
ALEC BALDWIN AT THE THEATRE WORLD AWARDS!
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 Still handsome after all these years! Wish I looked like Kim Basinger!   I had a blast at the Theatre World Awards. It was such a laid back and fun award show. It was my first time attending and I was very impressed with the event. Photo coverage will be up tomorrow. At the Drama Desk nominations party I got to chat with Paulo Szot and he saw me and came over to say hi. Things like that make my day. He is so charming and it was exciting that he remembered me. Another exciting thing that happened to me a woman came over to me and said "Are you Corine of Corine's Corner?" FINALLY, someone who didn't think I was Rachel Ray, America from Ugly Betty or Monica Lewinsky. SOMEONE was excited to meet me. Alec Baldwin made a few funny comments during the show. The first funny comment was he proposed to the child giving out the trophy's. She must be 11 or 12 tops. He said he turned 50 and he wanted to date her. It was funny. He also was very hot and was running away from the crowds and it reminded me of the air conditioning issue back with Jan Maxwell. I love Alec Baldwin but you don't want to upset him so instead of asking to interview him, I just stayed back and took this photo. He is still very handsome at 50. I have had a crush on him for over 13 years but could not get up the courage to talk to him. I did speak to Rosie Perez (who was fabulous as Googie Gomez in THE RITZ. I told her how wonderful she was and she graciously thanked me. I was sad she did not get a Tony nomination because her performance was nothing short of brilliant!)
Corine Dana Cohen Photos by Corine Cohen
DON'T I KNOW YOU?
 Corine (I don't get it!!!!)  Rachel Ray  Corine Cohen Hi guys,
I am so frustrated. Yesterday, I was walking home after having dinner with a friend and this woman came over to me. She tapped me on the shoulder and said "Don't I know you?" I thought this should be interesting. Another Monica comment. NOPE! She thought I was Rachel Ray from ABC.
It is so silly. People keep mistaking me for other people. I would die to have the Corine's Corner hour and than maybe they would tell Rachel Ray I know who you are you are Corine Cohen.
Next time I am going to sign Rachel Ray.
Corine
 Mimi Imfurst- (Photo by Maryann Lopinto)  Go see her on June 16th at 11! MIMI IMFURST nominated HX Drag Queen of the Year 2008 May 30, 2008- New York, NY- One of New York’s most outrageous, hysterical and controversial drag queens Mimi Imfurst was nominated for a 2008 HX Drag Queen of the Year. Mimi Imfurst’s website http://www.mimiimfurst.com/ has been transformed into a one stop campaign shop where you can find out how to organize an IMFURST 08 event, currently ongoing campaign appearances and where Ms. Imfurst stands on the issues. (From Mimiimfurst.com) Vote for Mimi. She is hysterical and was very entertaining at Broadway Bingo at Spotlight Live. She is funny and does incredible impersonations and will be starring in a one night concert of "Hedwig" at Therapy on June 16th at Therapy. Check her out. She is the hostess with the mostest. It was 100 degrees in Spotlight but Mimi went on with the show. She made the evening very entertaining. If you have seen her genius wont you please vote to make her Drag Queen of the year on HX. Vote your heart. I am her newest fan.
WE ARE GROWING! ADVERTISE HERE!
SOUTH PACIFIC EVENT AT BARNES AND NOBLE. PHOTO FLASH!
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  Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot plug the new recording!  Kelli refuses to wash that man right out of her hair! Kelli O'Hara and leading man Paulo Szot.  The beautiful Kelli O'Hara  The gang sign for fans!  The Tony Nominated crew: Kelli O'Hara, Danny Burstein and Paulo Szot. They are all worthy of Tony Awards!  Matt Morrison  The cast of South Pacific There was a CD event at Barnes and Noble to celebrate the new South Pacific CD. Maryann Lopinto was there to capture the fun. Photos by Maryann Lopinto Captions: Corine Dana Cohen
Corine's Corner Tony Predictions.
 I think that Mary will win for her hilarious performance in Boeing- Boeing. Mark is also a good choice for the play category. The award might also go to Rondi Reed from August Osage County. Some enchanting evening: Paulo Szot and Kelli O'Hara!  Photo Maryann Lopinto Paulo Szot  Photo by Mark Rupp Shuler and Laura (I love this photo) PS I interviewed both of them and they are wonderful interviews. So happy that Laura won her Drama Desk Award as she deserved it!
 Sorry the evil women were not nominated. They were robbed and I adore them. On Sunday I will be attending an event with the big theater critics where they will predict the winners of this years Tonys. Here are my predictions. This year the greatest category is the revivals. Both Gypsy and South Pacific as well as Sunday In The Park With George were my three favorite musicals this season. If there was a winner I wish that GYPSY would tie with South Pacific. I adored all three but of the three I think that South Pacific will win. Best actor: Tough competition this year but I think Paulo Szot will take it for his perfect voice, acting and sex appeal in South Pacific. Best actress: It is a close one between Patti LuPone and Kelli O'Hara but LuPone is sure to win it. Both ladies give the performance of a lifetime and it will be a tough race.
Best Musical: I think In The Heights will take the award this year. It is a feel good musical with incredible talent, dance and heart. Miranda deserves this award and I think it will win best musical. I also adore Xanadu and Passing Strange but my guess is that In The Heights will win. Best Music: My guess it will go to Passing Strange and Stew will take this award with an incredible score.
Best Supporting Actress: I think Benanti will win. She gives the performance of a lifetime and she deserves it. I was sad that Mary Testa and Jackie Hoffman were left out of this category as they were wonderful as the EVIL WOMEN in Xanadu. For best play I think it will be August Osage County and for Best revival of a play I think it will be Boeing- Boeing. I also adored The 39 Steps.
Rob Ashford will probably win an award for his incredible dance direction for Cry Baby.
For Best supporting actor I think Danny Burstein will win but Daniel Breaker has a very good chance of winning. I am not sure how this category will play. Both actors are excellent. I personally wished that Coleman Domingo would have been nominated for this category. (What's Inside is just a lie!) Some of my predictions. We will see the results on June 15th. Who do you think will win? Write to me and tell me your choices.
PS These are not my choices but my predictions on who I think will win. All of the nominees are fabulous and wish them all luck. I thank them for a wonderful theater season.
On a side note: I am very sad about a few things: I loved Roundabout Theater Companies The Ritz and the hysterical play IS HE DEAD! Both shows are sadly no longer running on Broadway. I wished that Marylouise Burke and Norbert Leo Butz were nominated for their fabulous acting. Other than that and Jackie Hoffman and Mary Testa being left out I was pretty happy with the nominations. Regardless they are all fabulous and I wanted to thank them for making me laugh this season. Even though Testa and Hoffman were left out of this years Tonys, they will always be one of my favorite performances of the season and Xanadu one of my favorite musicals of this season. Corine Dana Cohen
BROADWAY CARES BROADWAY BINGO THIS SUNDAY!
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 I went to the last one. It is a lot of fun. Support a good cause and you might even win a prize. I didn't win but I got kisses from Madame. That was enough for me. Corine
Benanti's Portrait Unveiling At Sardi's!
 The sweet, beautiful and talented Laura Benanti!  Laura Benanti and Sarah Gettelfinger  June and Louise!  Boyd Gaines and Patti LuPone together forever!  Patti LuPone and Laura Benanti.  Steve Pasquale and Laura Benanti Photos by Mark Rupp Comments and captions: Corine Dana Cohen On Tuesday June 3rd, Mark Rupp covered Laura Benanti's portrait unveiling. Laura is a sweetheart and I really loved interviewing her at this years Drama Desk Awards where she won! Congratulations, Laura!
Laura Benanti is currently starring in Gypsy on Broadway opposite Patti LuPone and Boyd Gaines. She has recently been nominated for a Tony Award for her performance as Louise. This marks Benanti’s third Tony nomination. She has recently won the Outer Critics Award and Drama Desk Award for this role.
Benanti made her Broadway debut just out of high school, leading the cast of Rodger & Hammerstein's long awaited The Sound of Music revival. Benanti received rave reviews as “Maria,” starring opposite theatre-legend Richard Chamberlain. Next up, Benanti went on to star in Swing!, the commemorative theatrical homage to the Duke Ellington era of Jazz music. This show earned Benanti her first Tony Award nomination. Following this acclaimed role, Benanti went on to star as “Cinderella” opposite Vanessa Williams in Into the Woods. The Sondheim revival brought Benanti a second Tony Award nomination, as well as a 2002 Drama Desk Award nomination, a 2002 Outer Critics Circle nomination, and an LA Ovation nomination. Soon after Into the Woods came the highly-anticipated theatrical revival of Nine, where Benanti starred opposite Antonio Banderas, playing the role of his muse. In 2006, Benanti starred in the five-time Tony Award nominated musical The Wedding Singer.
Benanti’s off-Broadway credits include Time and Again for the Manhattan Theatre Club, and Wonderful Town for City Center’s Encores! Series. Benanti performed “Anne” in A Little Night Music directed by Scott Ellis and the Los Angeles Opera House, and starred as “Perdita” in the Williamstown Theatre Festival’s production of The Winter’s Tale.
In addition to her theatrical roles, Benanti has appeared in New Line’s Take The Lead opposite Antonio Banderas. She has also starred in FX’s series Starved and this year had a recurring guest role in ABC’s Eli Stone.
BRAVO A LIST AWARDS!
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  I had a great time at the Bravo A List Awards. I enjoyed watching some of the audience. It was hysterical! I was sitting behind two drag queens and one looked like Bonzo the clown with big pink cotton candy hair. (She was divine as was her blonde friend!) It was hard to see through their big wigs but it was fun.
You must watch this show on June 12th as it is very funny. I wont spoil it for you but it is a must see for the fabulous fashion show at the end with Candice Bushnell and Nicky Blonsky (The Hairspray film) Blonsky was adorable and her Mom was behind me screaming for her. It was my favorite part of the night.
In addition, Marc Shaiman played the piano for the opening number and Kathy is an A LIST hostess who bares her mostest several times throughout the show. If you watch the show you might be able to spot me behind the big haired drag queens.
It was fun. After the show I grabbed some food at the TICK TOCK Diner down the street and saw Sirano, who is designing Goldberg's Tony dress. I asked him what the dress would look like and he told me "One big Tranny mess" and than said "Kidding". He was very nice and I can't wait to see his design.
The Bravo A List Airs on June 12th. Check the listings for your area. Kathy Griffin proved she is A LIST material as a hostess with the mostest!
LIFE ON THE E LIST!
  I was walking down Broadway when someone came over and asked for my autograph. I got really excited until the person thought I was the actress that plays "UGLY BETTY!"
I am not "UGLY BETTY" nor am I Monica Lewinsky.
Corine wants a makeover. HELP!
50 MILLION VISITORS TO NYC!
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MAYOR BLOOMBERG ANNOUNCES ACCELERATION OF GOAL TO ATTRACT 50 MILLION VISITORS TO NEW YORK CITY -Date for Meeting Goal Moved Up to 2012 from 2015 after Unprecedented Tourism Gains- New York City (June 3, 2008)—Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced that New York City is on track to achieve its goal of attracting 50 million annual visitors three years earlier than anticipated. Since Mayor Bloomberg set the goal of ’50 by 15’ in 2006, New York City has welcomed more visitors than anticipated, including a record 46 million in 2007. Mayor Bloomberg made the announcement in a prerecorded message shown at an event hosted by NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta in Las Vegas at the Travel Industry Association’s (TIA) International Pow Wow conference. NYC & Company is New York City’s official tourism, marketing and partnership organization. “New York City’s tourism sector is booming, with record numbers of visitors coming each of the last five years, even as the number of international visitors to the rest of the nation has declined,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “That’s why we’re confident we can reach our goal of attracting 50 million visitors to the City by 2012, three years ahead of schedule. George Fertitta and NYC & Company deserve a lot of the credit, but no one has a better city to sell. No matter what your pleasure – from the Broadway lights to Brooklyn Heights, the Bronx Zoo to Jimmy Choo – you can find it in the five boroughs.” “Never before has New York City been more vibrant, welcoming and easier to navigate,” said NYC & Company CEO Fertitta. “And our five-borough campaigns, including This is New York City and Just Ask the Locals, are really highlighting all the energy, beauty and diversity that New York City has to offer.” Tourism is one of New York City’s industries, supporting more than 370,000 jobs. A record 46 million visitors came to New York City in 2007, generating more than $28 billion in revenue. The City continues to outpace the nation in tourism growth, capturing an increased share of the overseas market. Since 2000, New York City has seen a 34 percent increase in overseas arrivals while the U.S. as a whole has seen an eight percent decline. The hotel industry, a strong barometer of the visitor industry’s success, also continues to perform well. New York City’s hotels sold an estimated 5.4 million total room nights in the first quarter of 2008, up 5 percent from the same period last year. Hotel occupancy rates are above 80 percent, compared to about 60 percent across the rest the rest of the nation. Employment in New York City’s leisure and hospitality sectors are also running ahead of national trends. For the first two months of 2008, these sectors grew by more than 4.5 percent in New York City versus a national increase of less than 2.5 percent. Throughout 2008, New York City will continue to offer visitors and residents an unparalleled variety of attractions across the five boroughs, including this summer’s monumental public art project, The New York City Waterfalls, and the Major League Baseball All-Star game—the last to take place at the current Yankee Stadium. For information about these or other events and to book reservations, visit www.nycvisit.com. Since Mayor Bloomberg merged NYC & Company with NYC Marketing and NYC Big Events in 2006, NYC & Company has successfully increased awareness of New York City through its global expansion plan and strategic marketing campaigns. These include the City’s first-ever $30 million global communications campaign, This is New York City, and the tourist appreciation campaign Just Ask the Locals. Just Ask the Locals just entered its second phase this spring, an expansion that includes 22 new celebrities and local experts, all of whom provide insider tips on what to see and do in New York City. Over the course of the last year, NYC & Company also opened 10 new international offices, bringing the total to 17. New representative office locations include: Spain (Madrid), the Benelux countries (Amsterdam), Scandinavia/Finland (Stockholm), Russia (Moscow), China (Shanghai), Korea (Seoul), Japan (Tokyo), Brazil (São Paulo), Canada (Toronto) and Australia (Sydney). A new office is planned to open later this year in India (Mumbai).
New Videos at the DRAMA DESK AWARDS!
 Hello, guys: Get a sneak peak at my newest videos at the Drama Desk Awards: PS: We did over 40 on camera interviews at the nominations party and backstage at the awards. I want to thank Mike Ortega and Christina aka Mistress my webmistress for making these videos happen. Hope you like them and stay tuned for many more coming soon. To quote Christina: ROCK ON! Corine
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION WILL BE POSTPONED.
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  Hello, My site turns three on July 4th. I was going to have a big happy hour at Bamboo but because a lot of my friends and collegues will be out of town the party will be postponed to my real birthday September 9th. Hope you can come to the big bash in September and have a nice day! Much love, Corine
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