When it rains it pours. And I mean….POURS. I figured I better knock one of these scoops out before I’m too busy to have the time.
This past weekend I sang, along with many other Columbia College Chicago alums such as Tom McGunn and Leah Morrow, at the Retirement Party for Estelle Spector. After almost 30 years at Columbia College she is retiring. It was her retirement party, her birthday, AND Mother’s Day!
I sang Joanne’s big solo “The Ladies who Lunch” from Company, a show that Estelle directed me in in 2005. In addition to Company, Estelle directed me in Guys and Dolls, I had class with her, and for a time I worked as her assistant. In classic Estelle fashion when I was finished with the song she said, “It’s gotten much better,” and we both laughed. Indeed, Estelle, it has gotten much better. 
It was good to see you and talk to you and I wish you the best!
If you know Estelle Spector and she touched your life in a positive way send her a message HERE.
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1) Fifth of July reading
I am so thrilled to be working on this amazing play. I’m playing Gwen, the nymphomanic wanna-be Country singer. Fifth of July is a 1979 play by American playwright Lanford Wilson. Set in rural Missouri in 1977, it revolves around the Talley family and their friends, and focuses on the disillusionment with America in the wake of the Vietnam War.
This is the second installment of Five Decades of Great Gay Plays being put on by my dear friend David Zak’s new venture: Pride Films and Plays.
Patrick Walsh directs a cast featuring John Zinn Jonas Grey, Brian Rooney, Harmony France, Kieran Welsh-Phillips, Deanna Norman, Michele Gorman and Jeremy Cohn.
The Host for the evening is Misha Davenport of the Chicago Sun-Times.
For tickets call 773 250 3112 or 1800 838 3006 or on line at Brown Paper Tickets. |
The cast is really fantastic and it is a terrific play. Come check it out!
WHEN: May 16, 7pm
WHERE: Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 West Belmont, Chicago
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2) Join me for a one-night only benefit performance of:
SHOW US YOUR LOVE
Sunday, May 23
7:30 pm
Pre-show Lobby Reception at 6:30 pm
Skokie Theatre
7924 Lincoln Ave, Skokie, IL
Proceeds will help fund Bailiwick Chicago’s summer production, Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA.
I will be singing “Kind of Woman” from Pippin and “Someone to Dance with Me” from Summer of ‘42.
Additionally there are selections from Floyd Collins, Barnum, Hair, Sunday in the Park with George, Aida, amongst others.
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3) Oh Boy!
FINALLY!!!! FIIIIIIIIIIIINAAAAAAALLLLLYYYYYY!!!! We go into tech this weekend and I think the show is in a pretty good place. We still have a ways to go, but we’re at that point in the process where things are really starting to happen. I’m seeing the show rear its pretty little head. I have absolutely loved working on this project. My cast is delightful and Terry McCabe (Director), Kingsley Day (Music Director and he plays my father!), and Amy Uhl (Choreographer) have made it such a smooth process.
I adore my character, Lou Ellen. She’s such a sweetheart and she’s so hopeful and a little quirky. She’s the kind of part I never get to play and I’m LOVING it. I’m a dainty girl and my costumes by Tom Keiffer are simply beautiful. My mother will be so happy that I get to wear the pretty costumes! Anyway….here are the deets:
WHEN: Previews start May 21st, Opening May 25th and runs through June 27th
WHERE: City Lit Theater Company, 1020 W Bryn Mawr Avenue , Chicago,
(773) 293-3682
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4) Jess Godwin’s CD Release Party!!!
I have to include this in my scoop. Yes, I’m singing back up, but don’t come for me, come for this incredibly talented woman! Jess Godwin was one of my first friends in Chicago, literally. I met her on our very first day of college and we’ve been friends ever since. Her music is so phenomenal!!! Jess will be performing along with her band: Matt FitzSimons, Bryce Dudka, and Alain Milotti.
And check out her list of guest artists, featured musicians, and back-up singers!:
Le Percolateur
Katie Gavin
Alan Schmuckler
One Voice
The Cast of Bailiwick Chicago’s “Aida”
Route 66 Theatre Company
Harmony France
Angela Ingersoll
Lili-Anne Brown
Jenn Rhoads
Karen Marie Richardson
Kat Fitzgerald
Elizabeth Baltes
Katie Romano
Natalie Pelletier
Grace Anaclerio
Laura Katz
Caroline Thinnes
WHEN: June 13, 2010 at 8:30pm
WHERE: MORSELAND, 1218 West Morse Ave., Chicago
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5) A Little Night Music
I am so ridiculously excited to be part of Peninsula Players 75th anniversary season in this beautiful show.
“A Little Night Music” is Broadway’s sophisticated, stylish and disarmingly funny comedy about second chances. In turn-of-the century Sweden, six people, whose love-lives have gone off track, are given a taste of love’s endless possibilities. Old flames are rekindled and others ignite while Sondheim’s waltz-like score plays on. This witty and elegant musical is a celebration of romance, a Valentine for Door County audiences, and features one of Sondheim’s most popular hits, “Send in the Clowns.”
This cherished musical is the winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Original Score.
I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about this theater company and I am honored to be part of this production.
WHEN: July 28 –August 15
WHERE: Peninsula Players, 4351 Peninsula Players Road, Fish Creek, WI
920-868-3287
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AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND Finally…if any of you have made it this far down…Congratulations to all my friends that just received Non-Equity Jeff nominations!
Congrats to two of my favorite Non-Equity theater companies Bohemian Theatre Ensemble and Theo Ubique for garnering 11 nominations each and Congrats to my lovely, lovely friends:
Fred Anzevino, Brenda Didier, Stephen Genovese, Courtney Crouse, Jeremy Trager, Tom Mcgunn, Maggie Portman, Sarah Hayes, Danielle Brothers, Eric Lindahl, John Leen, Kate Garassino, Danni Smith. Trista Smith, Dana Tretta, Nick Sula, Brigitte Ditmars, Edward Kuffert, and Andrew Park.
Here’s the full list of nominees: HERE
Enjoy our gloomy Spring! I LOVE IT!
Until next time,
Harmony
I’m just taking it a day at a time and trying to make smarter choices. There is no real secret to losing weight. You just have to do it. Eat healthy and move more. So I guess the only secret is willpower.
I can still be seen in Meet John Doe with Porchlight Music Theatre through April 17th!
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A TALE OF TWO CITIES by Charles Dickens