Spring 2006 - The Actors Fund

3
SPECIAL EVENTS
A
Wonderful
Life
“Every time a bell rings,
an angel gets his wings”
David Hyde Pierce
dreams of “Wings” in
A WONDERFUL LIFE
On Monday, December 12, 2005, Broadway’s Shubert
Theatre was filled to capacity for The Actors’ Fund holiday benefit
concert, A Wonderful Life, adapted from the beloved Frank Capra film
It’s a Wonderful Life. This gem of a show had never been produced
in New York so it was the Broadway debut for the beautiful score
by Sheldon Harnick and Joe Raposo. The heartwarming tale of faith
and redemption, performed by a dream cast, was indisputably
embraced by the sold-out crowd and was chosen as one of the top
ten theater events of 2005 by Time magazine.
The all-star cast would be any producer’s dream: Leading the collection of talent was
Actors’ Fund President and Tony® winner Brian Stokes Mitchell as George Bailey
and three-time Tony® nominee Judy Kuhn as Mary Bailey. Spamalot’s David Hyde Pierce
proved to be a priceless scene stealer as Clarence and Dominic Chianese from “The
Sopranos” was a formidable Mr. Potter. As if that weren’t enough, the cast also featured
such luminaries as Nancy Anderson, Michael Berresse, Philip Bosco, Ronn Carroll,
Chuck Cooper, Jayne Houdyshell, George S. Irving, Marc Kudisch, Phylicia Rashad,
Marian Seldes, and Karen Ziemba. This is a night only The Actors’ Fund can provide.
Simply and elegantly directed by Carl Andress, seamlessly musical directed by Lawrence
Yurman, and imaginatively choreographed by Denis Jones, A Wonderful Life was the
perfect holiday evening. And special thanks to Pat Collins and evening co-chairs John and
Pat Rosenwald for making it such a terrific success.
Immediately following the show, the cast, major donors, and special guests celebrated at
John’s Pizzeria in Times Square. The fact that every performer and the entire creative and
stage-management team donated their time and talent to make A Wonderful Life such a complete
triumph illustrates beautifully the mission of The Actors’ Fund: entertainment and performing
arts professionals banding together to raise money to support and take care of their own.
Left: Brian Stokes Mitchell, Sheldon Harnick and Judy Kuhn lead
the cast at the press rehearsal of A WONDERFUL LIFE
Middle: The Bailey Boys, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Michael Berresse,
give Mrs. Bailey (Phylicia Rashad) a kiss at the after party
Right: The cast of A WONDERFUL LIFE
Gaa l
Events
Actors’ Fund donor Donald Puryear
(left) gave his nephew, Matthew
Nelson, music lessons from Je¤
Shilling of AVENUE Q
The Actors’ Fund Auction of 1000 Stars raised
close to $250,000 last July in support of The Fund’s
programs and services, and auction winners
continue to fulfill celebrity experiences with some
of the biggest names in entertainment.
Some highlights from the past months include Jack and
Myra Gibson’s daughter Allison making her Broadway debut
in Hairspray; Lisbeth Barron enjoying a private voice lesson
from singing sensation Josh Groban and his voice teacher,
David Romano; Louise Beard at a private dinner at Joe Allen’s
with Charles Busch and Julie Halston; Cherly Burdumy
and Jim Abbott at the VIP CD launch of Heather Headley’s
Matthew Nelson – Ave Q Orchestra Lesson
“Getting to meet and have a lesson with Je¤
Schilling was such a wonderful experience…
[and] showed me what it’s like on Broadway
as a musician. I can’t thank you enough.”
Auction
of
1000 Stars
Jack Gibson – Hairspray Walk-On
“Our entire experience was well beyond our expectations.
As you know, we have been active contributors
to The Actors’ Fund for over a decade, but it was
really fun to have such a great event to share while at
the same time knowing our contributions were going
to such a worthy cause. Thanks again for everything!”
Mark Megill – Phantom Conducting Experience
“Hearing the orchestra applaud for me at the end
was especially moving, and when I was backstage
and heard ‘Maestro Megill to the pit,’ I really felt
important! I was very glad to contribute to such a
worthy cause, and I will never forget the experience!”
new album, “In My Mind,” at the Maritime Hotel’s Hiro
Ballroom; Marilyn Monter’s daughter Jenny being featured
in the company of The Fund’s December benefit concert,
A Wonderful Life, at the Shubert Theatre; and CJ Jamison dining
with Spamalot’s David Hyde Pierce and Christopher Sieber
at Joe Allen’s.
Be sure to join The Fund for the Auction of 1000 Stars
2006, coming in July, for the opportunity to win exclusive
celebrity memorabilia and experiences. If you’re looking
for an amazing time with the stars of sports, Broadway, movies,
music, and television, then The Actors’ Fund Auction of
1000 Stars is the place to be!
Allison Gibson all made up for her
walk-on role in HAIRSPRAY
The Actors’ Fund’s annual,
New York star-studded black-tie gala
dinner and tribute performance
will be held on Monday, May 8, at Cipriani
42nd Street in New York City. This year, The
Fund will honor producer Rocco Landesman, who
will receive The Actors’ Fund Medal of Honor.
Landesman, president of Jujamcyn Theaters and a
trustee of The Fund, has achieved success with
such shows as The Producers, Big River, Into the
Woods, M. Butterfly, Angels in America, City
of Angels, Proof, The Secret Garden and Caroline,
or Change. His encouragement of young playwrights,
as well as his passion for theater, has energized
the Broadway community and is largely responsible
for enticing a younger and more diverse audience
to the Great White Way. The event will be chaired
by Richard L. Fisher, Managing Partner, Fisher
Brothers; Daryl Roth, Producer, and Steven Roth,
Chairman and CEO, Vornado Realty Trust;
and will feature appearances and performances
by Matthew Broderick, Kevin Kline and the
lead cast of Jersey Boys. For tickets and information,
please phone 212.786.6186 or email
AFAGala@cmevents.net.
The 10th Annual Actors’
Los Angeles Fund Tony® Awards
Party will be held on
Sunday, June 11, at The Skirball Cultural Center
in Los Angeles. The Actors’ Fund is proud to
present the 2006 Julie Harris Award for Lifetime
Achievement to Liza Minnelli. A veteran of over
a dozen Broadway hits, Miss Minnelli is the recipient
of three Tony® awards, winning twice as Best
Actress in a Musical for Flora the Red Menace and
The Act, and receiving a special Tony® in 1974.
A star of television, film and the stage, the legendary
Miss Minnelli is an Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy
award winner. The evening’s festivities will feature
a live feed of the Tony® Awards broadcast from
New York. At the conclusion of the broadcast, the
award will be presented to Miss Minnelli. For
tables or tickets, please call 323.933.9244 ext. 54
or ext. 35. For sponsorship opportunities call
323.933.9244 ext. 33.
Special Events continued on page 5
Mark Megill conducting the exit music
at PHANTOM OF THE OPERA