Pick A Little Talk A Lot

It is interesting that there is such a crossover between film and Broadway theatre these days. Hairspray, Producers, Wedding Singer and more from screen to stage and Chicago and now Dreamgirls from stage to screen. I have not seen Dreamgirls yet but have heard raves from everyone that has and intend to see it this week. The biggest controversy I have heard regarding it has been the $25 tickets at early screenings of the movie at the Ziegfield Theatre in NYC! But I say why not? I am thrilled to have musicals back at the movies. Can’t wait to see Jennifer Hudson (never could fathom that she was voted off American Idol) steal the show. Yes, I think that $25 is quite a bit of money for a movie but it is worth it if you want to see something in advance of all the hype and hey it was a holiday event!

An actor friend Paul Valley is portraying a character on Guiding Light this month. I remember Paul as Ryan Harrison on the daytime drama, Another World, and it is good to see him back on the small screen in a role as a cancer survivor playing opposite Kim Zimmer’s character Reva. In all my years of watching soaps off and on, I have never watched Guiding Light and have now become a fan! So add this to my tivo list!

Times Square has become so visitor friendly! Charmin Tissue has sponsored free public bathrooms in Times Square across from the TKTS Booth with the marquis reading “You’re in New York, Go in Style!” Just in case tourists miss the signage there is daily entertainment complete with dancing toilet! Only in New York . . but just for the Holiday Season!

Last night, I attended the Red Fern Theatre Company’s presentation of Two Rooms by Lee Blessing at the 78th Street Theatre Lab (A fabulous small theatre space) featuring my colleague and friend Brian Patacca in a strong performance as a reporter. This play is perhaps most effective in the fact that it was written almost 20 years ago and deals with a U. S. hostage in Beirut, his wife in the U.S., the government and the media involvement in the Middle East. How far we have come??? The Red Fern Theatre Company produces socially responsible works but also partners with organizations to further their causes. The Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture is the partner for this production. It was a great evening with actor friends Kate Tellers and Katherine Brown and Mary Poppins Music Director Brad Haak followed by after dinner chat and show anaylsis at Ruby Foo’s.

“Pick a little, talk a lot”
Most actors or those working behind the scenes have come in contact with “The Music Man” and its famous gossiping ladies. In the spirit of that musical and the many other plays, scripts or musicals that first introduce us to the world of stage and film, this blog is dedicated to Gossip! Scuttlebutt! Behind the scenes news and thoughts! I promise to pick a little (constructive criticism only) and talk and sometimes squawk a lot!

After about my third helping of leftover turkey, I read this week’s “New York Observer” and came upon a review of the newly opened Mary Poppins. (I have not seen the show yet but have heard many varied reports—most great, some not.) Anyway, in his review John Heilpern writes about taking a child with him to see the show and ends with “My young guest and new friend . . . enjoyed every minute of it. How wonderful, I thought. How wonderful to be going to the theater as if transported, the talent, curtain calls, applauding—the whole package. It is good to go back to the theatre as if it is the first time but also go back to what started you loving theatre, acting or a career related to it. This time of year in New York, with all the holiday shows and out of town visitors, I always think how many of these kids will skate in Central Park, visit Rockefeller Center and see their first Broadway Show. Many of them will have their lives changed forever when they quietly say, “That is what I want to do.” Its nice to revisit what started you in the business and kept you there! One of my New Year’s Resolutions will be approaching each new show like I am going to theatre for the first time!