Look what we got!! An original “Squig” for The Episcopal Actors’ Guild’s “Making A Difference” logo!!
As a member of EAG’s Council this year, I volunteered to serve on the “Celebrity Committee,” helping the organization create their event — and give a mini-tribute to how very much A Chorus Line has “made a difference” in so very, very many lives — internationally — most of all to my husband and myself.
Kathy Conry, trusted friend from our Rehearsal Club circle came up with a fabulous idea — use a young, next generation performer currently performing on Broadway to learn “One,” the finale to A Chorus Line. OK. I knew nobody. But . . . Steve and I have a certain cache in the industry so I created a flyer and started hitting the Broadway stage door seeking dancers. Time passes. Three fabulous performers come forth: Kolton Krause (Dancin & Death Becomes Her), Morgan McGee (Boop) and Carlos Sanchez (Buena Vista Social Club)!! Yeah!!
Ooops. The “powers” at A Chorus Line – Baayork, Priscilla, Kelly . . . and other “originals” are planning the “Official ACL 50th Anniversary Celebration!” And IT WAS FABULOUS!
Steve and I were in the audience for each event — Lincoln Center Library and Pop-up “Flash” Performance; The Public Theater for the “Reunion,” and The Shubert Theater for a show-stopping performance, put together by Baayork and Friends. I still remember the extravaganza Michael created for the 25th — they had to reinforce the stage to accommodate the number of performers from all over the world who would be performing TOGETHER that night! The “vision” was spectacular.
And so was Baayork’s. Seeing monologues we knew so well performed in a foreign language? So fun! Each “original” starting their song and then allowing the next generation to take the spotlight! It was breathtaking. All of it. Soooo glad we were there. Thank you Baayork, for getting us in the room!
Needless to say, the EAG downsized their event. The “dancing” gets scrapped — however — each performer agrees to “fly solo!” I LOVE IT!! The idea was to put a spotlight on the unsung heroes — those who understudy and never STAR!
Would you look at that line up??!!
Tyrone Henderson and Rema Webb (Chicago, Hell’s Kitchen, Color Purple, Music Man) are co-hosts — and Steve and I will be co-hosting the A Chorus Line tribute. La Talapa is catering Spanish delights for the garden party on church grounds prior to the event, sparkling wine will be free-flowing and we’re all just praying for fabulous, lovely weather! The “church around the corner” is known for being the only church who would bury actors! Back in the day . . . back in the “Gilded Age” in NYC.
Meanwhile, I’m realizing how grateful I am for the creative community Steve and I live in . . . especially in these trying political times!
Our past meets our present continually feeding each new world as we move into it. The Episcopal Actors’ Guild’s Deaconess, back in the day, helped create The Rehearsal Club. And here I am, working as a liaison between the two organizations. How weird is that?
The Rehearsal Club is growing and expanding in ways that we (Charter Alums) never, ever imagined! As of May 1, 2025, they moved into a new brownstone located in Harlem!! The Clinton’s buying into Harlem has helped rejuvenate the area and now . . . our young theater women are living there! For the next two years anyway. ALERT! TRC needs deep pockets to BUY the building and donate it back for $1 to us (like The Rockefellers did for us back in the day). Excited. Trepidatious. Going for broke and praying the universe supports the move!!
What has been accomplished to date could never have happened without the vision of Ms. Conry. I doubt even she saw where the movement would ultimately go. She, and all of us, were involved in re-building a community that went away with “government” mandates. We, the people, came together to support each other — and in so doing — changed history.
Join the women of The Rehearsal Club to lend your support to this institution our local government (at the time) felt was not needed anymore. It obviously IS!! Time teaches us lessons and the universe conspires to support those of us on the right path. The growth of TRC is a perfect example. If YOU happen to be our new “Rocky,” willing to buy and donate this building to the City of New York for the exclusive use as a “safe haven” for aspiring young theater women . . . contact TRC!!
www.rehearsalclubnyc.com
Meanwhile, Steve and I are wishing you the very best as the High Holy Days ushers in the beginning of the New Year with its 10-day period of self-examination and penitence. Rosh Hashanah is also called the annual Day of Judgment; during this period Jews review their individual relationships with God, the Supreme Judge. I wonder if Donny T will be doing the same. I doubt it. He’s too busy playing God and issuing judgements on everyone who has done him wrong. Kinda sad, I think. Didn’t the parable of Midas Touch teach him anything?
This, too, shall pass. As we, the people, gather to change the course of history. Just takes one small voice and following up with taking the first step down the right path. Peace, Love and the Arts over Violence.
