Recently in New York City Category

We searched all of NYC and here they are...The Broadway Dolls!

The Broadway Dolls was created by Hollie Howard (she's the one in the middle of the picture), who just happened to originate the role of Holly Banks in the NYMF production of PLANE CRAZY in New York! (see how I always bring it back to me?). Hollie is an incredible triple threat Broadway performer who has put together an amazing group of women.

From the website:

The Broadway Dolls searched New York City for the finest Broadway talent and found Five Broadway Stars! We specialize in developing a customized theatrical experience for your corporate event, business party, fundraiser, benefit or theatrical event! Five, real triple threat women -- all singing, all acting, all dancing come directly to you from the most well known Broadway shows, including Mamma Mia, Chicago, A Chorus Line, Rent, Legally Blonde, Hairspray, Grease, The Wedding Singer, Spamalot, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and more.

The Broadway Dolls was created by Hollie Howard, and is directed by Joey Murray, and assisted directed by Barbara Helms (a former Broadway Doll and she was also in PLANE CRAZY! See, I did it again!). Music supervision is by Lon Hoyt, with choreography by Jordan Fife Hunt and Bryan Knolwton.

For more information:

Phone: 646-537-1708 or info@thebroadwaydolls.com

If you happen to be in the vicinity of Ithaca's Hangar Theatre then you don't want to miss their production of MAN OF LA MANCHA, which runs July 1 - July 17.

First of all, it got this incredible review on ithacajournal.com. The review described the show as "glorious" and "superb".

And did I mention that it stars two of my favorite performers? Richard Todd Adams, who played Brett Mansford in the New York production of my show PLANE CRAZY, stars as Cervantes/Quixote. You gotta love this quote from the review - "His rich tenor/baritone fills the house, and once he begins to sing, you want to crawl up inside his voice and simply live there."

Natascia Diaz stars as Dulcinea. I was blown away by Natascia when I saw her a couple of years ago at the Zipper Theatre's production of JAQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS. She's also in the fabulous movie "Every Little Step".

So hurry and buy tickets because it closes on Saturday!

I am thrilled to announce that my musical PLANE CRAZY will be in the Village Theatre 10th Annual Festival of New Musicals!

That's right, on Saturday August 14, 2010 at 2:00 pm at Village Theatre in Issaquah, PLANE CRAZY will fly again.

PLANE CRAZY will be directed by David Ira Goldstein (Artistic Director of Arizona Theatre Company), with musical direction by Kim Douglass!

I've been reworking the show over the past couple of months, and I had a "test run" reading of it on Monday. First of all, thank you to everyone involved, you guys were amazing! Secondly, it was so incredibly helpful and I've been madly rewriting ever since. I'm so excited to see the show up again, since the show has changed immensely since it first premiered off-Broadway in New York at NYMF in 2005. New scenes, new music, new lyrics, new structure!

PLANE CRAZY is a musical comedy about the emergence of the modern women's movement in the swinging ‘60s Jet Age. A time when the stews were sexy and the world was sexist. PLANE CRAZY is the story of three stewardesses who go on a journey to find their own voice and is set during an explosive time in history: The intersection between the dawn of the Jet Age, the introduction of the Pill, the genesis of the modern Feminist Movement, and the Golden Age of Advertising.

For more information, check out the Village Theatre website.

Stay tuned, and fasten your seatbelts!

A couple of weeks ago I went to New York City and I realized I hadn't seen a show there in three years! I was there last spring, attending Robert Mckee's STORY workshop, but only had time to see the last 45 minutes of TOXIC AVENGER!

This trip was all about seeing people, seeing shows and eating at some of my favorite New York restaurants.

I know there are a gazillion amazing restaurants in New York, but my trip wouldn't be complete without at least a couple of post-show trips to Sardi's. I love that I usually never eat dinner in NYC until after 10:00 pm. We usually get the appetizer plate, or maybe a New York cheesecake with strawberries...

We also made our regular pilgrimage to The Boat House in Central Park. Ever since we saw WHEN HARRY MET SALLY, The Boat House has been a must when we're in NYC. The scene were Carrie Fisher is trying to fix up Meg Ryan with a guy and she goes through her rolodex is priceless. It's so relaxing to sit at a table by the water and watch the boaters and the turtles!

And of course, the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station is another must. Fried clams...mmmmm.

Friday night we saw PROMISES PROMISES. I know a lot of people didn't liked it, and I don't think it got rave reviews, but I LOVED it! And the audience LOVED it! I would see it again in a heartbeat. It was so much fun. With a Bacharach and Hal David score, Neil Simon book, mid century modern sets, lots of dancing, Sean Hayes and Kristin Chenoweth and Katie Finneran, how could I not like it? The opening of the second act with Sean and Katie is worth the price of admission - I am NOT a pick up!

Saturday afternoon I saw Sondheim's A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. Catharine Zeta Jones was out sick, but to be honest, i was there to see Angela Lansbury and Keaton Whittaker. What a gorgeous show and Keaton was awesome! And seeing/hearing "Send in the Clowns" performed in context by the lovely and talented Jayne Paterson, I finally understood the song. Yay for me!

Saturday night was EVERYDAY RAPTURE, Sherie Rene Scott's one woman show about her spiritual journey from Topeka Kansas to New York City. If you get a chance, see it before it closes. It is wonderful. She is one of those engaging performers who you could just listen to for hours and still want more. And if that isn't enough, there are songs from Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood in the show!

Sunday I saw NEXT TO NORMAL. We were three rows from the stage right in front of "the chair". Alice Ripley is fierce. What an awesome show. But I have to admit, Brian D'arcy James was my favorite character (he played the father).

Monday night we saw THE KIDD off-Broadway with Christopher Sieber, and Susan Blackwell and Jill Eikenberry. Christopher Sieber is another one of those performers who are so easy to watch. But Jill had my favorite line in the show -- "Man up, Mary". Nuff said.

Until next time New York...

New York, New York! It's a helluva walk-on!

After my successful appearance on the 5th Avenue Theatre stage last year in HELLO DOLLY, I was asked back to appear in ON THE TOWN.

Well, okay, I wasn't exactly "asked back"...

Grad and I successfully bid on a dual walk-on role at last year's Gala at the 5th Avenue. We even snagged the closing show! I had a blast last year, but sharing the spotlight with my husband was even more fun. Although, I did have to share my dressing room with him...

We received the usual top notch star treatment - photos at the stage door, photos by the show bricks, big gold stars on our dressing room doors, a goody bag, flowers, chocolate, posing with the stars of the show...you know, my usual treatment.

I wore a fabulous kelly green (emerald green?) forties dress, gloves, hat, and my very own character shoes. Grad looked very cute in his forties suit and fedora. Then it was off to tech talk on stage. Boy ON THE TOWN is tech-intensive! And don't even get me started on the huge dinosaur hanging from the ceiling. We even got our picture taken in front of the cave man statue! Cast member Gabriel Corey gave us the run down on our scene - we were going to be part of the museum tour with Rich Gray as museum curator (in one of his many wigs!). Then as the show started it was off to hair and make up! I got to wear a red wig this time! And Grad got the old Brylcreem treatment. We watched a bit of the show backstage and then it was showtime!

We walked on and followed Rich, looking at all the amazing museum sights! We even laughed at Rich's jokes on cue! As we appeared on stage I could hear the chuckling from the audience in Row M, where my daughters Myrna and Trinity sat with their friends.

Much too soon it was over. Back to reality and the show! We got to watch the rest of the performance and meet up with everyone at intermission.

I hadn't seen the show since opening night and it was a magical performance! What a talented, funny company. I had actually just been reading about World War II that morning before the show (coincidentally), so I was watching it with new eyes! I got chills when they sang "We'll catch up some other time".

Thanks to everyone at the 5th Avenue Theatre for a thrilling afternoon!

ON THE TOWN was another fabulous production by the 5th Avenue Theatre!

Let the Leonard Bernstein festival continue with the final show of the season, CANDIDE!

Monday October 26 I had a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet both Stephen Sondheim and Frank Rich.

I attended STEPHEN SONDHEIM A LIFE IN THE THEATER, AN ONSTAGE CONVERSATION WITH FRANK RICH at Benaroya Hall.

We (of course this night was a Conn family event) started the evening off at a 6:30pm reception in the Founder's Room hosted by David Armstrong, Producing Artistic Director, The 5th Avenue Theatre, and Dennis Coleman, Artistic Director, Seattle Men's Chorus /Seattle Women's Chorus. Delicious food, yummy wine, and what a beautiful room!

We were there not just for the wine and food, but to meet Stephen Sondheim and Frank Rich! So as soon as Stephen entered the room, the Conn family made a beeline for him! Wow, what a friendly, gracious and talkative man! We introduced ourselves, told him what huge fans we were, told him that INTO THE WOODS is Trinity's favorite show, and that Myrna was The Baker's Wife in INTO THE WOODS at Village Theatre Kidstage. Stephen congratulated Myrna on nabbing "the best role" in the show. He asked about the production - what was the orchestration, how much rehearsal time etc. I was then able to inform Mr. Sondheim that the girl who had played Little Red in that same show (Keaton Whittaker) was going to be in the Broadway production of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. This was news to him, since he had left New York just days before the role was cast! So, I was able to tell Stephen Sondheim something he didn't already know. My husband went on to tell Stephen how much he loved COMPANY.

My husband and I had a fun, but brief, talk with Frank Rich, and he seemed genuinely pleased that we had both read and enjoyed his memoir Ghostlight

Anthony Fedorov will be performing at COCKTAIL NUTS on Monday September 28 at ACT Theatre.

Anthony is starring as Joseph in The 5th Avenue Theatre's upcoming production of JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT.

Oh, and he was also a runner up on a little-known show called American Idol!

I hate to disappoint his fans, but he won't be wearing his JOSEPH loincloth at COCKTAIL NUTS...

Here's the 411 on Anthony from The 5th Avenue Theatre website:

Born in Yalta, Ukraine, Fedorov came to America at the age of 9 and eventually settled with his family in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. While still a toddler Fedorov had to undergo an emergency tracheotomy because of complications from a birth defect and doctors predicted he would lose all ability to speak. But after a miraculous recovery, Fedorov regained the use of his voice and soon developed a passion for singing. Throughout his teens he could be found shuttling between Pennsylvania and New York City, singing whenever and wherever he had the opportunity.

Following his success on American Idol the 24 year old singer has gone on to a variety of music, television, and theatre projects including being a contestant on Celebrity Fear Factor, serving as a guest judge on MTV’s Little Talent Show as well as appearances on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Ellen Degeneres Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, and The Tony Danza Show. He recently made his New York stage debut as “The Boy” in the current Off-Broadway revival of The Fantasticks and earlier this summer he starred in Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma’s production of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

His dynamic rendition of “If You Don’t Know Me By Now” on American Idol garnered acclaim from the show’s judges who compared him favorably to Clay Aiken.

TIckets are going fast, so buy yours now!

Here's the 411 on COCKTAIL NUTS with your host Rich Gray:

For an unforgettable evening of music, comedy, gourmet snacks and cocktails, come join our host Rich Gray as he celebrates "Landing The Gig" with:

Anthony Fedorov (from The 5th Avenue Theatre's upcoming JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, and AMERICAN IDOL)

Anne Allgood (from ACT Theatre's upcoming ROCK 'N' ROLL)

Jessica Skerritt (from Village Theatre's upcoming CHASING NICOLETTE)

The NightClub Gentlemen (the "almost" Rat Packers)

Also featuring appearances by Bill Robison and Myrna Conn

Tickets for this incredible night of entertainment are only $35.00 which includes complimentary gourmet snacks. And there will be a cash bar featuring an original COCKTAIL NUTS cocktail -- all cocktail and food service is by VESSEL, our neighborhood nightspot that Esquire magazine calls one of the “Best Bars in America.”

WHEN

Monday September 28, 2009

Door: 7pm for cocktails and complimentary gourmet snacks

Show: 8pm to 10pm

WHERE

ACT Theatre

Bullitt Cabaret

Union and 7th, downtown Seattle

TICKETS

For tickets, call the ACT box office at (206) 292-7676 or visit the COCKTAIL NUTS ticket page at acttheatre.org

Shine a Light on Camp Broadway!

My oldest daughter Myrna was lucky enough to attend Camp Broadway in New York a few years back and it was indeed a life-changing experience. Not only did she work with Broadway professionals, it was with Camp Broadway that she was able to attend the Tony Awards hosted by Hugh Jackman. And, her picture still comes up on the Camp Broadway website.

Camp Broadway has really grown over the years thanks to a dedicated and hard-working staff. So when I got this information from Susan Lee, I wanted to share it with y'all right away!

I wanted to make you aware of an exciting opportunity for Camp Broadway...

Later this afternoon Mrs. Patricia Smith (a mom whose daughter was given a scholarship to attend Camp Broadway this summer) is going to nominate Camp Broadway in American Express' "Shine A Light" Competition, a national search for a small business that has had a positive social impact on their community. To be eligible, (1) the company must be a private, independently-owned and operated business, (2) organized for profit and operates primarily in the US, (3) has less than 100 employees with revenues under $10 million and (4) accepts the American Express card. Camp Broadway is eligible.

The judging will be based on: An inspiring story about a small business that has devised a new way of working in order to survive tough times ("innovation"), still finds ways to give back to the community, even when staying afloat is a challenge ("community") and continually demonstrates a "customer first" mentality, and during challenging times recognizes that connections are more important than ever ("customer service).

Once the nomination is posted it needs to get a minimum of 50 votes NO LATER THAN September 13 at 11:59 PM ET to be considered by the judges. Our team is hereby requesting your support of our nomination... Please go to http://shinealight.ivillage.com/ later tonight or soon thereafter and vote for CB if you believe our work over the last 15 years merits consideration. We believe there is an opportunity for you to add your own comment about how we have helped you, your family, a person you know and/or the community at large. If you have something nice to say, we would appreciate your adding it to the nomination.

You might also take a moment to review the other nominations. I hope you agree that we are worthy to be considered in this group.

The winning small business will receive $50,000 and $50,000 in marketing support. Someone has to win...why not Camp Broadway? You can encourage your friends around the country to vote for us too if you believe that a little company that is dedicated to theatre arts education for kids, whether or not they can afford it, deserves a helping hand.

Our staff, teaching artists and all the kids we work with appreciate your support (now as always).

Love and thanks,

Susan

What are you waiting for? Vote!

Elizabeth Lucas, a friend of mine in New York, sent me this email.

Sounds like a super cool movie! Don't miss it at the New York Musical Theatre Festival!

From the email:

Three years ago I began a project that has grown into the most extraordinary experience of my professional life, the rock movie musical CLEAR BLUE TUESDAY.

CLEAR BLUE TUESDAY is a movie of and about New York City, developed by a community of actor/singer/songwriters from the rock clubs, comedy clubs and Broadway theatres of New York. We rehearsed for nine months, developing fictional narrative out of improvisation and conversation about what it means to be a New Yorker and an American post-9/11. The actors wrote the songs they sing. The spirit of the movie is such that donations have been generous and have given us production value well above and beyond our budgetary means. We shot for free inside 7 World Trade Center, the Ritz Carlton andRockefeller Center. Dozens of artists contributed their paintings. Our extensive special effects were entirely donated. The movie is thoroughly unconventional and independent in the truest sense of the word, neither political nor treacly, made with humor, humanity and craft.

I am so proud of what we came up with and would love to share it with you. We are premiering the results next Thursday, September 10^th. Please join us.

We’ll be screening at the SVA, a newly renovated facility with top of the line High Def projector and sound equipment, and the second largest screen in New York City. This presentation is the movie in its best possible form.

You can view the trailer on our website at www.clearbluetuesday.com. Edited by Alex Hammer, the trailer is a beautiful representation of the movie. If it moves you at all, don’t miss this screening.

You are invited to the World Premiere of the musical movie CLEAR BLUE TUESDAY, premiering as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival!

WHERE: SVA Theatre, 333 West 23rd Street

WHEN: Thursday, September 10
7:00pm and 9:15pm

TICKETS: $20 (includes post-screening Q&A)

FOR TICKETS:www.nymf.org/clearbluetuesday

VIEW THE TRAILER:www.clearbluetuesday.com