A: Is for Art Access

The Broadway production of Bye Bye Birdie ios in search for “Birdie’s Biggest Fan.”
Fans of Bye Bye Birdie can participate to prove they are the show’s biggest fan by using social networks to spread the word about the new production. The lucky person who proves themselves “Birdie’s Biggest Fan” will receive a round trip to New York City to see the revival of Bye Bye Birdie.

Log onto http://www.byebyebirdieonbroadway.com/contest for more info.

Bye Bye Birdie stars John Stamos, Gina Gershon, Bill Irwin & Nolan Gerard Funk Bye Bye Birdie is directed and choreographed by Robert Longbottom with a book by Michael Stewart, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Lee Adams.


In case you don't know...Bye Bye Birdie, is the 1960 rock n’ roll musical, about hip-swingin’ teen idol superstar Conrad Birdie (Funk) who has been drafted into the army. Birdie's manager Albert (Stamos) and his secretary Rosie (Gershon) have cooked up a plan to send him off with a swell new song and one last kiss from a lucky teenage fan… on “The Ed Sullivan Show”! Bye Bye Birdie officially opens on Broadway on Thursday, October 15th, at the new Henry Miller’s Theatre (124 West 43rd Street).

How's that for a fan F.A.C.T.

F: Is for Couture Fashion...or not

For the past four seasons, I have been covering Couture fashion Week, presented by Andres Aquino. Andres is a little like the PT Barnum of the Fashion World. His shows have some great entertainment but the substance is sometimes lacking. Like most fashion shows it is highly disorganized starting at times more than an hour behind. Unlike most fashion shows it treats its press and its un-paid workers less than humane. Members of the press that are on the A, B or C list are not given the front row or the second but the third row, which makes it difficult to write about the fashions that walk down the runway. Sadly to say or in this case happy to say details are missed. The privilege of those first rows goes to paying attendees not even buyers, they also are treated like second class citizens. Being treated so poorly had me talking to the ushers who are treated even worse. They had gone all day with out food, water or even a kind word, so needless to say they had a lot to say. When treating people so unkindly the fashions better be worth the aggravation but they are not. Since I have other obligations, I was only able to attend the last shows and by Sunday, I no longer cared to even do that. September 11th's show included Joy Washington's three, yes, count them three bee like designs. The color scheme was yellow and black chiffon. It was like a bad production of "My Fair Lady." None of the outfits flattered the models including the one the designer pompously wore down the runway. Catlin Botezatu was next up and all I can say is this is suppose to be Spring and chunky fur chokers, don't cut it. Designers for the most part have a sense of color but alas Catlin Botezatu has none. You would of thought after day one I would of learned my lesson but alas....September 12th held Andres's collection. After more than hour and half violinist Alexander Markov played. Now, I love classical music but when I am dead tired and irritate at the treatment of all who were there even the soothing tones of Alexander could not calm this angry beast. Andrea's designs did not help either. Though a talented designer Andres, does not understand the concept of less is more. Unlike Ms. Washington three would of been good. Starting off with a sequined sheer body suit and a silver diaper wrap thoughts of who will ever wear this and why went through my head as well as my guest. Next up a collection of ill fitting, un-finished bathing suits emerged. Then a badly done collection reminiscent of Carmen strutted their stuff as singer Kimera sang opera. A hideous ballerina like outfit twirled for what seemed forever, showing off all the flaws in the design and then there was a beautiful gold sequined with a cape snake like piece at the end which made me want to see more of a collection like this. Yesterday I skipped the rest as the tents held a much better version of the styles and fashion of Spring 2010.

Will I attend next year....? That is a F.A.C.T that is yet to be determined.

S: Is for Saving Music

Tom Permentier is a professional classical percussionist and percussion teacher. He also conducts a youth orchestra called Kl!nk and is studying composition at the conservatory in Antwerp. His second life, however is the director of a group called Dynamo, which is a production of Cirkus in Beweging, (the circus school of Leuven, Belgium). Teaching percussion to children, and adults, in a non-traditional way. Dynamo, performed in Russia in 2008, as well as with the former percussion band Lokomotiv in Croatia, Hungary, Portugal, France, The Netherlands and Slovenia. Dynamo: is 23 musicians between 11 and 20. Colorful and richly resonant, their music is played on Brazilian instruments and all dress in crazy costumes. Conducting the band like a musical clown, Tom is like a Pied Piper, reminiscent of Danny Kaye. Composing the rhythms, he feels that the music they play comes 'from a land that still has yet to be discovered.

I caught this band and was so impressed that I had to learn more, so I could pass it on to you. This jubilant force of sheer joy makes you understand why music is our heart and souls. You can catch them for a short time in New York.

9/11: 7 pm: Flanders House (New York Times Building)
9/12: around midday: Governors Island (New Island Festival) and at 4 and 6 pm in Bowling Green Park
9/13: at 12:30 at Snug Harbor, Staten Island (Harbor Day)

Come see why music should be kept in our schools and in our lives.

T: Is for Tickets

The Roundabout Theatre Company is proud to announce a major expansion of ACCESS Roundabout, a multi-faceted audience development initiative that allocates over 34,000 affordable tickets, as low as $10, to theatergoers. Beginning with the 2009-2010 season. As one of the nation’s leading not-for profit theatre companies, internationally recognized is excited to offer these special low-priced ticket alternatives to the community. Since the launch of this program, they have provided thousands of affordable seats, many as low as $10. ACCESS ROUNDABOUT includes the following four major programs: $10 PREVIEWS: 100 mezzanine tickets to be sold for $10for the first FOUR preview performances at each of its Broadway venues (American Airlines Theatre and Studio 54). Additionally, every seat for the first performance of Bye Bye Birdie at the Henry Miller’s Theatre was sold to the public for $10. The $10 preview tickets are available in advance by calling (212)719-1300, online at www.roundabouttheatre.org (use code ACCESS10) or at the respective box office. ROUNDABOUT UNDERGROUND: All tickets for all productions and performances at Roundabout Underground (5,456 total seats) are $20. This popular program will continue in the Black Box Theatre with the upcoming production of Adam Gwon’s new musical Ordinary Days beginning October 2nd, 2009. Tickets are available in advance by calling (212)719-1300, online at www.roundaboutunderground.com or at the box office. HIPTIX “New and Improved”: This popular program for young professionals and students continues to grow with cheaper tickets and even more access. Roundabout has allocated 24,600 tickets to be sold for only $20 each for HIPTIX members. Proof of age is required. RUSH POLICIES: Are available on the day of a performance at an average price of $21.50-$26.50. Student rush tickets are available one half hour before curtain time at half price, available with a valid student I.D. Roundabout's2009-2010 season includes Patrick Marber’s After Miss Julie, starring Sienna Miller, Lee Adams and Charles Strouse’s Bye Bye Birdie, starring John Stamos, Gina Gershon and Bill Irwin; Carrie Fisher’s Wishful Drinking; Theresa Rebeck’s The Understudy, with Mark-Paul Gosselaar; Adam Gwon’s Ordinary Days; Noël Coward’s Present Laughter starring Victor Garber and Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie. Theatre can be affordable and that is a F.A.C.T.

C: Is for Charities

Theatre and daytime television stars are coming out to support Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS at the 23RD Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction to be held on Sunday, September 27 from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM in Shubert Alley (225 West 45th Street). The event will be held outdoors in Shubert Alley and is free and open to the public. From posing with your favorite Broadway and Daytime stars for photos, to buying that lost cast recording, signed show posters and Playbills, rare costume sketches or special gift for a theatre-lover you can’t find anywhere – this year’s Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction promises to offer something for everyone.
The Grand Auction has always been the highlight of the Flea Market event and this year will not disappoint. The following lots are included in the auction and will be up for bidding! Make your Broadway debut in one of Broadway’s hit shows. Don’t miss the chance to bid on the opportunity to have a walk-on role in Mamma Mia!, Jersey Boys, The Phantom of the Opera, Wicked and Chicago. Opening night tickets to Superior Donuts, Wishful Drinking, The Royal Family, Memphis, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Broadway Bound, Finian's Rainbow, Ragtime, Fela, A Little Night Music and The Addams Family. Win VIP tickets to tapings of “Saturday Night Live” and “The Colbert Report.” Don’t miss your chance to own rare, one-of-a kind Broadway memorabilia, including: the jeans worn by Daniel Radcliffe onstage in Equus, the mask worn by Broadway's longest running ‘Phantom,’ Howard McGillan, in his final performance on Broadway, Gwen Verdon's top hat from Chicago, the seagull prop from last fall's acclaimed production of The Seagull, Mark Rylance's shirt and tie worn in his Tony Award winning performance in Boeing-Boeing, the chair used on the set of The Norman Conquests, the stone paver from the set of Exit The King and more!

Celebrities scheduled to appear at the Celebrity Autograph Table and Photo Booth in exchange for donations to BC/EFA include: Sebastian Arcelus (Jersey Boys), Elizabeth Ashley, Bryan Batt (Mad Men), P.J. Benjamin (Wicked), Susan Blackwell ([title of show]), Stephanie J. Block (9 to 5), Danny Burstein (South Pacific), Matt Cavenaugh (West Side Story), Kathleen Chalfant, Will Chase (Billy Elliot: The Musical), Alex Cole ("As the World Turns"), Ewa da Cruz ("As the World Turns"), Jason Danieley (Curtains), Quentin Earl Darrington (Ragtime), Diana DeGarmo (The Toxic Avenger), Bonnie Dennison (“Guiding Light”), Ellen Dolan ("As the World Turns"), Marj Dusay (“Guiding Light”), Bobbie Eakes ("All My Children), Tovah Feldshuh (Irena’s Vow), Harvey Fierstein, John Glover (The Royal Family), Montego Glover (Memphis), Jonathan Groff (Spring Awakening), Haydn Gwynne (Billy Elliot: The Musical), Van Hansis (“As the World Turns”), Rosemary Harris (The Royal Family), Jessica Hecht (Neil Simon’s Brighton Beach Memoir’s and Broadway Bound), Dana Ivey, Judith Ivey, Greg Jbara (Billy Elliot: The Musical), Chad Kimball (Memphis), Beth Leavel (Mamma Mia!), Jessica Leccia (CBS, “Guiding Light”), Priscilla Lopez (In the Heights), Rebecca Luker (Mary Poppins), David Andrew MacDonald (“The Guiding Light"), Constantine Maroulis (Rock of Ages), Marin Mazzie (Spamalot), Cady McClain ("As the World Turns"), Debra Monk (Curtains), Javier Munoz (In the Heights), Robert Newman (“Guiding Light”), Dominic Nolfi (Jersey Boys), Christiane Noll (Ragtime), Karen Olivo (West Side Story), Steven Pasquale (Reasons to be Pretty), Bernadette Peters, Julie Pinson (“As the World Turns”), Anthony Rapp (Rent), Vanessa Ray (“As the World Turns”), Alice Ripley (Next to Normal), Chita Rivera, Mo Rocca (“CBS Sunday Morning,” “The Daily Show”), Thomas Sadoski (Reasons to be Pretty), Loretta Ables Sayre (South Pacific), Marian Seldes, Marnie Schulenburg ("As the World Turns"), Carole Shelley (Billy Elliot: The Musical), Christopher Sieber (Shrek the Musical), J. Robert Spencer (Next to Normal), Chrishell Stause (“All My Children), Robin Strasser (“One Life to Live”), Bobby Steggert (Ragtime), Caitlin Van Zandt (“Guiding Light”).

Specific items for sale at the Flea Market, packages to be auctioned will be announced at a later date or visit www.BroadwayCares.org for details.

A: Is for Art that revisits the past

Got to hand it to the Brits. They just came up with a play, that I for one can't wait to see. Get this, not a musical. It is a real play, based on Enron. As Enron employees were losing everything, others were pocketing fat bonuses, as they might today. Enron the play takes a detailed look at the US energy company of the same name which filed for bankruptcy eight years ago, with parallels being drawn between the early part of the decade and the current economic climate. Written by Lucy Prebble, the play will be showing in London from 17 September until 31 October. Talk about a scary Halloween.

In Houston, Texas that is, a musical version is taking place. Talk about a very sore nerve for many Houstonians, but the sheer psychological impact that the actual Enron debacle left on the American financial landscape seems like the perfect setting for a musical. Featuring two acts with six local actors playing up to 10 roles (including those Kenneth L. Lay, Jeffrey K. Skilling and Andrew S. Fastow), this is a revue of sorts. Enron's songs are show-tune parodies such as Thank Heaven for Off The Books Deals. To those who lost college funds, their life savings or even their homes, this play may bring some memories that were just starting to ease.

Enron it seems is back and this time maybe we will learn from it and realize the F.A.C.T.S.

F: Is for freedom and labor

I always mixed Labor day and Memorial Day up, because I think we should labor then morn. However this year it seems appropriate. The arrival of Labor Day, is especially poignant, with the current recession. Seven million jobs have vanished and industrial production has fallen by nearly 17 percent. Most jobless workers would quickly trade idleness for the aggravations that once plagued their existance. Stress-filled commutes and irratating bosses now pale in insignificance. Unemployment is now not just for the lazy and those trying to live off the goverment. (Yes, I do know people like that.)Today instead of parades and solidarity, we punder on where we are headed. Labor Day became a national holiday in 1894. In the aftermath of the Pullman strike that year, in which nearly three dozen workers died at the hands of U.S. marshals and military troops, President Grover Cleveland was eager to appease labor. A bill designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day was rushed through Congress and signed into in law six days after the Pullman walkout ended. As the decades passed, much of Labor Day’s political edge receded until it mainly marked the traditional end of summer.
For millions of Americans who have lost their jobs, the notion of celebrating a day off from work makes Labor Day a bittersweet holiday. So today as I go off to labor because I have a job I am grateful. It is my hope that all those who wish to labor, get that chance. Labor sometimes is a blessing and that is a F.A.C.T.