I was so thrilled and flattered that these magnificent artists offered to share their talents with you this evening that I felt I should personally write their bios. If you want the traditional credits, you can either ask the person sitting next to you, who will no doubt, know every last detail, or check the internet. I thought this would be more interesting; this way, I could share my personal anecdotes and heartfelt appreciation .
GR
Donna McKechnie: Donna's legendary performances in Promises, Promises, Company and, of course, Chorus Line, are burned deep in my consciousness. I've worked with her a few times over the years, but we really got to know each other during Singular Sensations, where I interviewed and accompanied her for a week down at the Village Gate. One night, when I suggested she was a Muse to the great Michael Bennett, as Susanne Farrell was to George Balanchine, she looked at me as if I were insane. Never mind. She was. She graciously participated in a workshop of Pandora's Box where she had the "Grizabella" part (which meant she came in to sing one song and stop the show). Well, the invited audience, who didn't know the show, saw Donna sit on her stool for the entire first act, wondering what the hell she was going to do; but then, midway through the second act, she got up and stopped the show cold with "One Great Love." Why should I have been surprised? Stopping the show is her trademark.
Douglas Sills: When I first heard that Douglas, the phenomenon from Scarlet Pimpernel, was sent the script to Doctor T, I was excited. But nothing prepared me for the miracle of watching him create Terwilliker and perform in the workshops. Never has a monster been so evil and yet so lovable. And funny! And sexy! Plus, he's extraordinarily creative, articulate and a real inspiration to work with. One improvised line of his can trigger an entire song. He's also a loyal friend. Quite honestly, I wouldn't have presented this evening if he were unavailable. My greatest wish is for Doctor T to get to Broadway with Douglas singing If You Want to Rule the World .
Sandy Duncan: Seeing Mary Martin fly into the bedroom window as Peter Pan was a seminal part of my childhood. I always thought my heart would belong to Mary until 1979, when I saw Sandy fly off the stage and straight into audience; it was then that my heart stood still. I’d seen Sandy on TV many times before, but I fell in love that afternoon at the Lunt. And her rendition of Ugh-a-Wug with Mary Beth Kurdock was definitive. We subsequently worked together but only became friendly when we were both recruited to the swamps of Florida to help a mutual friend: we were the Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul of Ft Meyes/Naples Idol. There, I met her son, Jeff, also a great actor; it was touching to see her in dual capacities: performer and doting Mom. I knew that she would be perfect to narrate “The Runaway Bunny,” tonight; she’s a sensitive actress and nurturing Mommy.
Ittai Shapira: Quite frankly, Ittai is the very epicenter of classical music in New York City. Not only is he a brilliant musician (well, you can hear that for yourselves tonight) but a force of nature. Plus, he is consistently optimistic and positive which is amazing given the vicissitudes of the music biz. I wrote “The Bunny” especially for him utilizing all of his enormous talents: his dazzling virtuosity, his tenderness, and especially his humor. We’ve done many concerts together and playing with him is a master class in humanity. He founded The Ilona Feher Foundation which promotes young Israeli Violinist. I am honored to be on the board. If you’d like to come to one of our concerts, just get to Ittai or myself after I HATE MUSIC. He’s recorded ten Cds released on the major labels; they are all brilliant, no surprise. And if you’re a wonderful women (aged 22-35) looking for a violinist boyfriend, also come up to us…well, Ittai. This probably isn’t the best venue to look for something like that, but what the hell.
Kaitlin Hopkins: Kaitlin is a new friend of mine; I met her on the last reading of Dr. T. I didn't know her work (only because I'm a recluse and never leave my apartment) but Susan Schulman and Jay Binder stated unequivocally that she would be a great Mrs. Collins. And, of course, they were right. She had a tiny little number in the beginning of the first act. We had a few discussions about it, and, the next time she performed it, she virtually stopped the show. It was a wonder to behold. She's a real artist. (I liked her so much I actually got out of my apartment to see her in Trailer Park. Wow! If you missed it, buy the CD.) She's a great singer, a warm actress, and I'm glad to now be her friend. Tonight, she is singing songs from Pandora: it's a long leap from confused Mrs. Collins, to Mona, the lesbian handywoman of Pandora, but Kaitlin can take the jump in her stride. (And I love her on Law and Order!)
Sal Viviano: I've know Sal a long time from the proverbial “Broadway scene,” (Falsettos, The Full Monty) but I think the first time we actually worked together was in the Pandora's Box workshop. (Sal had an incredibly, difficult part to play: he was Oliver who is basically completely unsympathetic and a real shit until the second act; now "unsympathetic" is an actor’s least favorite action to play.) But he was fantastic. And the audience loved it. Then, when his character grew emotionally and transitioned into a state of vulnerability, he had the audience in tears. He sings two songs tonight from Pandora: the first, "Nothing To Do With Love," is a duet with his penis. It was a treat finding out what key his dick sang in.
Noah Galvin: When we were casting the 4,999th reading of Dr. T, Amelia DeMayo, the great voice teach for kids, called me up and said she had someone. When Amelia calls, you listen. I ran over to her studio and was treated to Noah. What a gem. What a voice. The casting people didn't know him and were a bit reticent to call him in, but, after hearing him sing "You Deserve a Prince" (which I hear is his new audition song) they leaned over to me and said, "Hire him!" He's going to be in Tommy this summer in East Hampton, and I know he will have a great career. People just don't sing better then he.
Kevin Chamberlin: I know Kevin least well out of the group, although I've obviously known his brilliant work over the years. One night a few weeks ago, he ran into a friend of mine who told him about I Hate Music. He said it sounded great and wanted to be a part of it. I immediately ran to the phone. "If you want to, I'd be honored." He gave me an enthusiastic yes. I love it when things like that happen; I always find the more talented the performer, the nicer the person! He listened to a couple of different songs on my web site and really responded to "Daddy's Here", from Norman's Ark, one of my favorites. He's on his way to national recognition with his new series in the fall with Jeffrey Tambor and John Lithgow. Don't miss it.
Joy Lynn Matthews: Joy is simply that: a joy. She's been slaving away in Menopause, The Musical for the last couple of years, although I swear she couldn't possible be over 38. (A great actress like her can stretch.) I loved her in Renee Taylor’s play, “Crowns” and look forward to her appearing in “Mrs. Lincoln” at the York. She's participated in all the many Dr. T readings and workshops, and her talent is a "joy" to behold. And ya gotta love those high notes. Stand back!
Erick Devine: Eric also has been in many of the Doctor T workshops. (And didn't you love the picture of him on the front of the New York Times Arts and Leisure section from Of Thee I Sing, a couple of weeks ago?) After the last workshop, he handed me a resume outlining his formidable directing career. I didn't know he did that. But, anything he does, he does well, so I asked him to direct tonight’s evening. I'm so glad he gave me that resume.
Amy Alexander: Amy, too, has participated in far too many Doctor T workshops. At one point she had a very small part in an early scene in the show. A friend of mine said, “I liked the show but I LOVED that girl.” She really can make an impression. (Of course, those of you who saw Little Women on Broadway know that.) At a previous Doctor T incarnation, the boy playing Bart was a millimeter away from puberty. Amy is so delicious and beautiful that I forbid her to come within 10 feet of that kid because I knew her mere presence could trigger his soon-to-be raging hormones and his lovely soprano voice would change right there in front of Gerry Shoenfeld. She was a good sport about it, kept her distance, and happily the kid made it through the run through--just! But I don't know what will happen with the kids in our show tonight; good thing they kids are on first.
One of the best things about doing an evening like this is meeting new people. Paul Staroba, a great new musical director in town, put together a choir from his colleagues. In their own words:
Brad Standley: As a new addition to the city, Brad Standley is
excited to participate in his first New York event and
to meet so many new and interesting people.
Sarah Orr: "Sarah Orr studied the piano for seven years as a child, and still could not tell you what a C diminished chord entails. Luckily she lives with a brilliant pianist. Play it again Paul."
