September 12, 2007

Jersey Boys Cast Performs at Cabaret Cares Benefit!

September 12th, 2007

Jersey Boys Blog Special Correspondent Audrey Rockman provides a marvelous recap of Jersey Boys’ cast members Cabaret Cares performance at the Laurie Beechman Theater on Sunday, September 9.

The purpose of evenings like this one is not about getting more time with the talent surrounding Jersey Boys. Producer and Founder of Help is on the Way Today, www.helpisonthewaytoday.org, Joseph Macchia, began the evening, with Associate Producers, Angie Creighton and Robert Fowler (both formerly on Broadway in The Producers), telling the story of how this effort to assist children with HIV and AIDS first got started. It was originally inspired by a boy who had AIDS and Cerebral Palsy. He desperately needed a motorized wheelchair and fortunately an event, produced by Joseph John Productions, raised enough to purchase that chair. The production company has since raised about $50,000 over the last three years doing cabaret shows. Help is on the Way was born as a result of the inspiration provided by that young man’s need.

Well, this night was also a success–as with anything that the Jersey Boys folks add their time and effort to. I recall covering the special JB Actor’s Fund performance and learning that the event set a record for the organization in that category of fundraisers; well, JB did it again! Producer Joseph Macchia told me afterwards that the Jersey Boys team helped to raise a record $1,500 through ticket sales for the intimate, sold-out seating of only 60 at the Laurie Beechman Theater on West 42nd Street . Sold out? I have covered seven Jersey Boys-related events for the Jersey Boys Blog and, without exception; they have all been sold out.

Howard Tucker was right, when he commented on this blog after the evening, that there was a wonderful opportunity to chat with all the cast and notables, like Rick Elice and 1982 Tony winner Rick Rees, as we sat at our tables or mingled about before the show- which began at 9:30. There was no ‘off stage’- the performers just left their table as the person before them announced who was up next.

And who was up first… (the guy who ‘it all started with’ if you ask Tommy DeVito), Christian Hoff–singing the perfectly appropriate “On Broadway” with a slight change of lyrics reflecting the collective correlative-”…we won’t quit till WE are stars on Broadway.”

Matt Scott, who was heading out of town immediately after the show to begin his new role in A Catered Affair (playing in San Diego before heading to Broadway next spring), showed us, through the song, “Too Marvelous for Words,” a voice that helps to explain why his career is ever expanding.

The adorable Rebecca Kupka stepped up the pace about ten fold, with “I Can’t Stop Talking About Him.” She helped to put the evening back on schedule with a style matching the song’s tone of vocalizing at the ‘speed of sound’- an appropriate expression when talking about a singer. And what a singer this woman is. The printed program added a little comedy to the evening when it listed her talents as a ‘member of the Jersey Boys orchestra.’ I guess it’s not easy for newcomers to find their place sometimes. Trust me, she has a wonderful place and if you are seeing the show this week (9/10-9/16), you’ll likely have the good fortune to see this bright and bubbly ‘Vacation Swing’ cast member on stage.

Rebecca then introduced John Leone who sang “Don’t Get Around Too Much Anymore.” If he isn’t getting around, it’s because he has been with the show since its inception in La Jolla. Hopefully, we’ll be seeing him for a long time in the various Jersey Boys’ roles he plays.

Pianist and Musical Director, David Shenton was introduced to loud applause. The printed program let us in on the far reaching endeavors of this man. He has written five musicals including Anna the Storyteller, which has recently been optioned by producers. All the singers were obviously and openly appreciative of this man’s talent throughout the evening.

Kris Coleman, who helped promote the evening’s fundraiser through his MySpace bulletins, was up next in a bright red shirt singing “I Got It Bad.” Kris is quite a commanding presence evidenced when Matt comically readjusted the microphone down a foot as he stepped up next to sing “Danglin’.”

After a great performance as Nick Massi the night before, Colin Donnell stepped up on stage and sang “Exactly.” I have to say it’s really great to get a chance to see these guys on stage being able to bring their own personality to a song rather than that of a character.

Humor again came to the stage as Erica sang a soulful and dramatic French song with eyes looking off gazing deeply outward with John Leone, absent any effect, at a microphone to the side translating her message in it’s most base and expressionless wording, such as “if you didn’t drool when you spoke…” The crowd loved it and Erica maintained her deeply dramatic demeanor as the crowd rolled with laughter.

Additional selections brought John Leone to the stage on the saxophone while Erica sang and then at the microphone himself singing “Walking in Memphis.” Rebecca sang “I Must Have That Man” (assuming she meant husband, David Overton) and “Whoever You Are, I Love You.”

The closing selections were Christian singing “Blusette”; Dominic Nolfi doing “How Can I Be Sure”; Colin singing the classic, “Just the Way You Look Tonight”; and Kris wrapping up with “A Song For You.” What a wonderful evening of giving for an important cause. Each time the cast supports a project, a different and cohesive combination of the team emerges.

The final piece of the evening was a specially written song titled and written for “Help Is On the Way” sung by Robert Fowler. Door prizes were distributed, raffle prizes announced (congratulations to Matt’s girlfriend), and items such as a cast signed poster were auctioned as the evening ended around 11. Additional fundraisers scheduled are Divapalooza 8 on September 23rd and Cabaret Cares on October 15th (performers TBA) and again on October 29th with the cast of A Chorus Line. Watch for the gala Cabaret Cares finale in March, when perhaps some of the wonderful and generous Jersey Boys’ cast will be once again on stage.To make a donation or to be a sponsor for future events, please contact Joseph Macchia at (917) 589-6658.

Thank you to Audrey Rockman for her terrific coverage of the multi-talented JB cast members at Cabaret Cares!

11 Comments »

  1. I’m jealous of you, Audrey! I wish I lived close enough to make special trips into the city to catch these wonderful performances. Thank you for giving us such a vivid account of the evening!

    Comment by Courtney — September 12, 2007 @ 11:53 am

  2. Terrific coverage, Audrey. Sounds like everyone had a wonderful night – and for a wonderful cause. Thank you.

    Comment by Catherine — September 12, 2007 @ 11:59 am

  3. I’d like to add that the group’s website, http://www.helpisonthewaytoday.org, will be up later in the month, so please check back and lend your support as the JB cast did. Let’s use our generous JB performers (all around the country) as inspiration to also give of ourselves for worthwhile causes.

    Comment by Audrey — September 12, 2007 @ 12:19 pm

  4. Great job, Audrey! Your hard work really paid off! Now, those of us that were there can live this wonderful night all over again thanks to you!

    Comment by Gary — September 12, 2007 @ 2:53 pm

  5. I really appreciate the kind words. It is a labor of love… for the cast, the show and the JB Blog.

    Comment by Audrey — September 12, 2007 @ 3:31 pm

  6. I second that, Gary! Audrey, wasn’t it worth it that you and I traveled on a turnpike past a landfill to cheer for a wonderful ensemble from New York?

    What makes these shows even more special is that we fans are starting to know and recognize each other as well. (The stars already know us by name!) But the entertainment was the best. And we found that there are two new kids on the block, Colin and Rebecca, who were both poised, funny, and charming.

    And Colin, thank you so, so much for that great picture above with me. I’m keeping the phone lines clear in case GQ calls for its annual “Men of the Year” cover!!

    Comment by Howard Tucker — September 12, 2007 @ 3:32 pm

  7. I too saw this event and the talent level was just amazing. What a nice bunch of over talented people! Thanks for a wonderful evening.

    Comment by John — September 12, 2007 @ 4:58 pm

  8. Thanks Audrey. It made me feel like I was right there with you all.

    Comment by Melissa — September 12, 2007 @ 7:16 pm

  9. Hey, Audrey, Howard & fellow JB fans…I’m a little jealous that I couldn’t be there, but I’m happy you keep us so well posted that we feel included! This sounds like another stellar JB event…I like all the little details that make the evening come alive. Thanks for including the website for the event as well.

    Comment by LuluThompson — September 12, 2007 @ 9:19 pm

  10. Audrey, great article. I so enjoyed meeting you, Howard and Gary that night and watching the entertainment. It was such a pleasure watching such talented people perform knowing that they are nice people on the inside also.

    Comment by LindaL — September 12, 2007 @ 10:10 pm

  11. Hi Audrey

    Thank you again for a wonderful article. To all of the Jersey Boys fan who came out to support us I thank you from the bottom of my heart. We hope to have them back for the finale in March.

    Also for those of you who missed this show Rebecca Kupka will be back in the our Lovely Ladies of cabaret show on October 8th at 7pm. the evening will feature some very talented ladies from Broadway and Cabaret.

    Also keep your fingers crossed if we can get these guys together again this show may be back in the future again. Please stop by my table at the Broadway Cares Flea Market if you can on september 23. Also that night Cabaret Cares with a wonderful fun show DIVAPALOOZA. A tribute to the great DIVAS of stage and screen with an all male cast.

    Once again thanks Audrey,The wonderful talented cast
    of Jersey Boys and all your support. All it takes is a voice and a belief.

    Joseph Macchia
    Founder of Help Is On the Way
    and Exectuive Producer of Cabaret Cares

    Comment by joseph macchia — September 15, 2007 @ 8:10 pm

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