BILLY PORTER ON TWITTER AND AT THE ROSE THEATER

When I learned that Billy Porter was going to be performing at Lincoln Center's Rose Theater, I was excited.

I first became a fan of Mr. Porter on Twitter, where he has 27k followers and serves up motivational and uplifting tweets such as these:

Billy Porter @theebillyporter · Feb 3

Whatever u do..don't get stuck on that one thing that is ruining ur day. Take a deep breath. There's a calmness 2 a life lived in gratitude!

0 replies30 retweets60 favorites

Billy Porter @theebillyporter · Feb 2

Every test in our life makes us bitter or better, every prob comes 2 break us or make us, the choice is ours 2 become victims or victorious!

0 replies22 retweets49 favorites

I had, admittedly, never seen Mr. Porter perform.  But I knew that he had won the 2013 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his role as Lola in Kinky Boots.  And that Kinky Boots had won for Best Musical and Best Score.  (Cool side note: Kinky Boots was Cyndi Lauper's debut as a Broadway songwriter, making her the first woman to win alone in that category. Yay, Cyndi!)

So when I saw that Billy would be performing at The Rose Theater, I knew I wanted to be there.

Mr. Porter kicked off the American Songbook Series in The Appel Room.  This space is stunning; it overlooks Columbus Circle.  Down in front are small tables where folks can enjoy refreshments during the show.  We sat towards the back, in the amphiteater-style seating.

Accompanied by a 13-piece orchestra, Billy launched the show with "But the World Goes Round,""Everything's Coming Up Roses" and "Don't Rain on My Parade."

There was also the Sammy Davis Jr. hit "I've Gotta Be Me," which served as a signifier of one of the evening's main themes of self-acceptance.  This theme continued in a suite from the show Kinky Boots, which included "I'm Not My Father's Son."

The evening ended with tremendous energy and power: accompanied by the Broadway Inspirational Voices, Mr. Porter performed his own version of "Sunday," a song from Sunday in the Park with George.

Many of the songs from the evening's show can be found on Mr. Porter's new CD Billy's Back on Broadway.

Also worth noting: Mr. Porter will join the national tour of Kinky Boots Aug. 4-9 when the musical visits his hometown of Pittsburg, PA.

* Photo Credit: Tony Cenicola, NY Times

SCHULMAN AND HAMMERSTEIN: A GREAT "DOUBLE-HEADER" AT LINCOLN CENTER

Susan L. Schulman

After vowing to get myself to Lincoln Center more often this year, I traveled up there a few weeks ago for a great double-header.

First, I went to the NYPL Library for the Performing Arts to listen to Susan L. Schulman tell stories that formed the basis of her book Backstage Pass to Broadway: True Tales from a Theatre Press Agent.

When that event ended, I ran down the street to hear Oscar Hammerstein's grandson, Andy, present the history of his grandfather's music.

Ms. Schulman, a long-time press agent, started out by telling about her life growing up in New York.  She took dance lessons, went ice skating, and frequented both the library and the 92nd Street Y.  A self-described "theatre kid," Ms. Schulman would wait outside the stage door at the end of productions - not to get autographs, but to let actors know how much she enjoyed their performances.

In 1978, Susan opened up Schulman Publicity in the Paramount building. Over the span of her career, Susan  has worked with theatre figures such as Lauren Bacall, Zero Mostel, Mary Martin, George C. Scott, and Yul Brynner. She explained that it's the job of a press agent to "create the right expectations for critics and audiences."

Ms. Schulman recalled with fondness her encounters with famed choreographer Bob Fosse. She described him as someone who valued critics' feedback, "knew everything about everything," and was "the master of every single theatrical discipline."

At the end of her talk, Susan took questions from the audience.  A few folks wanted to know the impact of social media on how she approached her job.  I asked her for her thoughts on how to develop young audiences for theater.  She mentioned the late playwright Wendy Wasserstein's work as a co-foundre of Open Doors Broadway Mentors Program. 

After Ms. Schulman signed a copy of her book for me,  I ran down the street to the David Rubenstein Atrium to see Something Wonderful: The Songs of Rodgers and Hammerstein.  Andy Hammerstein talked and showed slides about the history of his grandfather Oscar's work.  His anecdotes were brought to life by three talented singers.

Andy described Oscar as a "lefty with a lower case 'l'" who, like many [Jewish] artists of his times, was brought under the magnifying glass of McCarthyism and made the subject of an enormous FBI file.

One of the highlights of the event was joining the rest of the audience to sing "Do Re Mi" from The Sound of Music.  Truthfully, there were so many wonderful songs, I wish the entire evening had been a sing-a-long!

For more information about events at the NYPL Library for the Performing Arts, click HERE.
Fore more information about events at The David Rubenstein Atrium, click HERE.

NOT TO BE MISSED: BILLY PORTER AND CYNDI LAUPER AT LINCOLN CENTER ON WEDNESDAY, JAN. 28!

Billy Porter, the star of Kinky Boots, will be performing at Lincoln Center this coming Wednesday, January 28.  He will be joined by the one and only Cyndi Lauper.

There are two shows, 7:30 and 9:30. 

Tickets can be purchased HERE. 

 

 

Description Compliments of Lincoln Center's American Songbook:

 

Ebullient triple-threat and Tony and Drama Desk Award winner Billy Porter is a true New York City theater success story. As comfortable in a fully staged production as he is in a stripped-down studio with only a microphone in hand, the versatile and altogether irresistible Kinky Boots star appears here where his talents shine brightest—at center stage. On this night, music from his latest album of jazz-inflected Broadway standards, Billy’s Back on Broadway, has a starring role. Mr. Porter is joined by Grammy and Emmy-winning artist and pop icon Cyndi Lauper—the musical mastermind behind Kinky Boots—for a duet performance of “Happy Days Are Here Again/Get Happy.”

TWO GREAT EXHIBITS AT THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

I feel  incredibly lucky to live in a place that is so rich in opportunities to engage with and celebrate the arts.  This year, I am committed to getting out and taking advantage of more of these opportunities.

Specifically, I want to see more performances, go to exhibits, watch more DVDs, read more books, and talk to people in the arena of my first true love, the performing arts.

So I started 2015 by going to the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts to see "Somebody Come and Play:" 45 Years of Sesame Street Helping Kids Grow Smarter, Stronger, and Kinder.


The exhibit, conceived by Sesame Workshop archivist Susan Tofte, features Sesame Muppets, archival footage, scripts, storyboards, lead sheets, designs, and scores from the archives of the show.  There is also behind the scenes footage, animation cels, photographs, blueprints, and an architectural model of the set from the early 90’s. There's lots of nice opportunities to view show highlights, including a  look back at many of the celebrities and other notable people that have visited Sesame Street.

I sat down for quite a while on a tiny wooden bench with some 70s-style headphones to watch some of the archival footage.  I was fascinated by the clips from from the brainstorming sessions of the folks who conceptualized the show before it ever went on air.  I got teary-eyed as I listened to the cast explain to Big Bird that his dear friend Mr. Hooper had passed away and would not be coming back.
Also sweet was the episode where Luis and Maria get married.

Looking around at all the families passing through, and being reminded that Sesame is in 150 countries around the world, I could really feel and see  the impact that this show has had on the lives of millions of people around the globe.

After spending a few hours at the Sesame Street exhibit, I traveled to another part of the library and stumbled upon another exhibit.  This one was titled Broadway Revealed: Photographs by Stephen Joseph Behind the Theater Curtain.  In the center of the room were fantastic costumes from various musicals and plays.  How fun to see the bright red beauties (see photo above) from Kinky Boots standing proudly in a lucite display box.

On the walls surrounding the costumes wre photographs of all the people who work behind the scenes to make the magic that is Broadway.

In between visits to these two fab exhibits, I took time to explore the shelves of this branch of the NYPL dedicated entirely to the performing arts.  Such an exciting array of books, CDs, DVDs, and videos.  I checked out a book of essays by deceased playwright Wendy Wasserstein, as well as some DVDs from The Best of Soul Train collection.

I finished my time at the performing arts library by writing my dad a letter to thank him for taking us to some really great musicals when we were children, and for encouraging us to go behind the scenes to see what the performing arts were all about.

I hope to extend that sense of inquiry and wonder into 2015, and make it integral to many of the adventures which I seek out this year.

Happy 2015, everyone!

30% DISCOUNT FOR CREATIVE TIMES READERS ON TICKETS TO "ANN" THE PLAY

 

 

“A BRAVURA PERFORMANCE!” – Chicago Tribune

 

Tough as nails.
Funny as hell.

 

ANN

A new play starring HOLLAND TAYLOR

 

SAVE OVER 30%

 

$85 Orchestra & Loge (A-C) (reg. $125)

 

$55
Rear Loge (D-E) (reg. $75)

 

Visit Broadwayoffers.com or call 212-239-6200 and use code ANNMKT1
Or, bring this offer to Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater, 150 W. 65th St.

 

 

BOX OFFICE HOURS 

Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun Noon-6pm 


 

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE 

Tues 7pm, Wed 2pm & 8pm, 
Thurs 7pm, Fri 8pm, Sat 2pm & 8pm, Sun 3pm

 

This season, a true original comes to Broadway at Lincoln Center.

ANN is a no-holds-barred portrait of Ann Richards, the legendary governor of Texas.
This inspiring and hilarious new play brings us face to face with a complex, colorful and
captivating character bigger than the state from which she hailed. Written and performed
by Emmy® Award winner Holland Taylor (“Two and a Half Men”), ANN takes a revealing
look at the impassioned woman who enriched the lives of her followers, friends and family.

After playing throughout Texas to sold-out audiences, ANN went on to win critical acclaim
both in Chicago and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. And now this extraordinary
play comes to Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater in a production directed by
Benjamin Endsley Klein (resident director of War Horse). Don’t miss this unforgettable
performance that The New York Times has called, “frank, funny and warm. As Ann Richards,
Holland Taylor is a FIERY DYNAMO.”

 

*Offer valid for performances thru 6/9/13. Additional blackout dates may apply. Offer subject to availability and priorsale. All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. Offer may be modified or revoked at any time without notice. Allphone and Internet offers subject to normal service charges. Offer available for select seats and performances. Limit 6 tickets per order.

AN OPEN LETTER TO HOLLAND TAYLOR, THE WRITER AND STAR OF "ANN"

Dear Ms. Taylor,

I was totally blown away by Ann - the play about the late Texas Governor Ann Richards which you wrote and star in.  When I talk to friends who really know how to lean in and listen, and describe you and the story of the play to them, my eyes well up and so do theirs.  I'm no sap, but damn!  You do know how to move an audience!

I first learned of your play while watching the CBS Sunday Morning News Show.  Within the first 30 seconds of viewing the segment, I knew I had to go see Ann.  It was the same gut feeling I had when I saw Eva Zeisel, then celebrating her 100th birthday, on this same show.  Ms. Zeisel was a world-class, Hungarian-born industrial designer best-known for her work with ceramics and her "playful search for beauty."  Falsely accused of trying to assassinate Stalin (!), she survived 16 months of solitary confinement in prison.  Ms. Zeisel also narrowly escaped the Nazis. 

When I saw the piece about Ms. Zeisel, and then learned she lived not far away from me, I knew I had to meet her in person.  What an amazing experience it was to visit with her shortly after she turned 100.

Like Ms. Zeisel, the Ann you portray was a strong and creative risk-taker, with a fighting spirit and an awesome sense of humor.  So when I saw the CBS news segment, there was that deja vu feeling of "I've got to go and see this person."  And so, last week, I journeyed from Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn to Lincoln Center in Manhattan to see Ann.

Here's why I think you and your play are important now:

* It's pretty common knowledge that roles for women in Hollywood, especially after a certain age, are limited.  As you said on the CBS segment, you've played your share of moms.  I'm glad you took things into your own hands and wrote a role that would allow you to portray a whip-smart, gutsy female who pushed past restrictions placed on women in order to step out big time into the public sphere.  You show that we women have to literally write the roles we want to play in this world.  Thank you for that!

* There is a particular way that females get targeted when they venture way out into the public sphere and take a stand on important issues. The attacks are often personal and vicious. (Just ask Hillary Clinton!)  I appreciate that you came forward to depict a woman who dared to step out, speak her mind, and act on her principles.  
 
Here's what I loved about your depiction of Ann Richards:

*  You showed the way Ann  brought her working class sensibilities into her job as a politician - specifically, her straight-forwardness, integrity, lack of pretense, and unwillingness to sell out on her values.   

* You caught the nuances of Ann Richards without affect or over-acting.

* I mostly forgot that I was at a play.  I generally felt like I was hanging out with Ann Richards in her office. 

*  You depict Ann's simultaneous affection for but lack of deference to Bill Clinton when he was in office as President - e.g. the joke she tells him about Arkansas on the phone right before hanging up on him. Brilliant! (And the audience laughed hard here!) By the way, I saw that picture you posted on Twitter of President Clinton wiping tears from his face upon seeing you after he saw the performance.  That picture spoke volumes about the power of your play.

* You refer to Ann's relationship with Congresswoman and  Senator Barbara Jordan and the Lady Longhorn basketball games they went to together.

Thoughts on Your Play, Going Forward 

Ms. Taylor, I hope that lots more people go see your play during its run.  I hope that people of different ages and incomes and races get to go and see it.  It offers hope, inspiration, and a reminder that it's possible for all of us to have big lives while holding our families and friends close to our hearts.   

It is also my wish that I have the honor of meeting you in person before the show's run has ended.  That would be the gift of all gifts.

Thanks for taking your vision and making it into a reality.  Both your play and your personal life have had huge ripple effects, and will continue to do so.

Ms. Taylor:  Like Ann Richards, you are a rolling stone that gathers no moss.  Like Ms. Richards, you kick the a** of sexism and other injustices, and take no prisoners.

Keep up the good work, Ms. Taylor, as Ann looks down and smiles.


With Appreciation,

Eleanor Traubman
Editor, Creative Times
creativetimes.blogspot.com     

GOOD NEWS! ANN, AN AMAZING PLAY STARRING HOLLAND TAYLOR, HAS BEEN EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1!

NEW YORK HAS FALLEN IN LOVE WITH ANN

“As the INSPIRING ANN RICHARDS,

HOLLAND TAYLOR is a FIERY DYNAMO.”

 

“HOLLAND TAYLOR is MASTERFUL.”

"Performer and subject are both SO VIVIDLY ALIVE, it's INFECTIOUS, and WE'RE HELPLESSLY DRAWN IN!"

   

EMMY^® AWARD WINNER HOLLAND TAYLOR

EXTENDS IN CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED ANN

 AT LINCOLN CENTER’S VIVIAN BEAUMONT THEATER

ANN, the new critically acclaimed play written and performed by Emmy Award-winning actress Holland Taylor and directed by Benjamin Endsley Klein, has been extended through Sunday, September 1, 2013, on Broadway at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater (150 West 65 Street). 

ANN is an intimate, no-holds-barred portrait of Ann Richards, the legendary Governor of Texas. This inspiring and hilarious new play brings us face to face with a complex, colorful and captivating character bigger than the state from which she hailed. Written and performed by Emmy Award winner Holland Taylor (“Two and a Half Men”), ANN takes a revealing look at the impassioned woman who enriched the lives of her followers, friends and family.

ANN has scenic design by Michael Fagin, costume design by Julie Weiss, lighting design by Matthew Richards, sound design by Ken Huncovsky, projection design by Zachary Borovay and wig design by Paul Huntley.  ANN is produced by Bob Boyett and Harriet Newman Leve with co-producers Jane Dubin, Jack Thomas/Mark Johannes and Amy Danis, Sarahbeth Grossman, Jon Cryer/Lisa Joyner, Minerva Productions, Lary Brandt/Brian Dorsey, Kate Hathaway/Allison Thomas and Jennifer Isaacson in association with Lincoln Center Theater, Colleen Barrett, Nancy T. Beren, Francesca Zambello and Faith Gay, Patrick Terry/Rich Affannato, Marcy Adelman/Paula Kaminsky Davis, Campbell Spencer/ Suisman Gasparian and Bonnie Levinson/Emily Conner.  ANN is executive produced by Kevin Bailey.

ANN played to sold-out audiences at Galveston’s Grand 1894 Opera House in the summer of 2010, San Antonio’s Empire Theatre in the fall of 2010, and Austin’s Paramount Theatre in the spring of 2011.  In the fall of 2011 the new play opened to critical acclaim at Chicago’s Bank of America Theatre, and went on to have a smash hit run at Washington DC’s Kennedy Center in winter of 2011/2012.

The playing schedule for ANN is: Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm.  Tickets range from $75 - $125 and can purchased at the Vivian Beaumont Theater box office, online at lct.org or through Telecharge.com (212-239-6200).   A limited number of tickets priced at $30 will be available at every performance through LincTix, LCT's program for 21 to 35 year olds. For information or to enroll, visit LincTix.org.  A, limited number of $30.00 Student tickets for ANN are available two hours prior to curtain at the box office. Students must show a valid student ID card. There is a limit of 1 ticket per ID.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT:

www.theannrichardsplay.com

“HOLLAND TAYLOR IS BRILLIANT!” – The Hollywood Reporter

“HOLLAND TAYLOR is ENDEARING and HILARIOUS.” – Entertainment Weekly

“HOLLAND TAYLOR IS A HOOT!” – AP

“FUNNY & TENDER. A DEEPLY AFFECIONATE, CLEVER TRIBUTE.” – USA Today

"HOLLAND TAYLOR SHINES!" – Daily News

"HOLLAND TAYLOR is AN EXEMPLARY FORCE FOR FEISTINESS." –Newsday

“A WITTY, PASSIONATE LOVE LETTER. HOLLAND TAYLOR is REMARKABLE.”

–       NBC 4 New York

“HOLLAND TAYLOR is SPLENDID, capturing ANN RICHARDS’ HUMOR, DECENCY and ENERGY.” –The Village Voice

"FUNNY, AND SMART AND CANDID,…SO RIVETING YOUR MIND REFUSES TO WANDER" - The New York Observer

WHAT I LEARNED FROM MY TOUR OF LINCOLN CENTER

If you need a place to get out of the heat and be with your laptop, book, or the company of friends, I highly recommend the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center between 62nd and 63rd Streets on Broadway. There, you will find a most pleasant public space which features Wi-Fi access, a fountain, wall plants, 'Wichcraft for sandwiches and salads, and the opportunity to purchase half-price tickets for cultural events.

Events taking place in the Atrium on Thursdays are FREE.

After several times of going to the Atrium, I decided to go on one of their guided tours of Lincoln Center. Our guide was Judy, who was full of good information, and the other folks on the tour were from other countries. (My only suggestion is that they have translators on hand.)

Here's some of the fun facts I learned during the tour:

The David Rubenstein Atrium

Like other buildings at Lincoln Center, it's named after someone who gave a ton of money. As Judy pointed out, in the United States the government gives very little money to the arts so as a country we rely heavily on private donors. The atrium is known as a POPS - a privately-owned public space. Which means that since the space can be used by the public, there are tax breaks involved.

This particular space has been all kinds of things over the years, including a place where folks like Charlie Chaplin were performing. In more recent years, it was home to a rock climbing wall.

The wall decor consists of a huge work made out of wool, and the artists owns the sheep. Bonus: the wool absorbs sound! There are also a couple of vertical gardens, which are made up of thousands of plants and definitely add to the peaceful feeling of the place.

Lincoln Center (on the whole)

* Celebrated its 50th birthday in 2009
* Spans 16 acres of land
* Is home to 9 million visitors per years
* Has 9 thousand employees
* Recently had a $1.2 billion renovation
* The renovation included a makeover of its famous outdoor fountain. This fountain, a gift of the Revson family (of Revlon fame) serves as the meeting place * for people in real life and people in the movies.

Avery Fisher Hall

* Built in 1962, it was originally called Philharmonic Hall
* Home to the NY Philharmonic
* First building that went up at Lincoln Center
* Everything in it is designed for acoustical enhancement
* Bernstein, its first conductor, started out as a substitute for another conductor!
* West Side Story was filmed here
* There are 2700 seats
* In the early 70s, Avery Fisher, an owner of an electronics company, came along and gave $10 million to fix acoustical problems in the building
* AFH relies on ticket sales and private donors to keep going
* Its current conductor, Alan Gilbert, is a younger man and helps to bring in a younger audience
* His mom is the first violinist
* The hall can be rented by any group or organization

The Lincoln Center Theater

* Home to these theatres: the Beaumont, the Newhouse, the LCT3 and Claire Tow
* LCT3 was built to promote new artists
* The Vivian Beaumont Theater is a Greek amphitheater with 3 quarter wrap around seating
* The stage thrusts out into the audience
* It is a Broadway theater with 1100 seats, and is the largest stage in Broadway
Its current show, The War Horse, is based on a children's story that was written in the 1980s
* There are lockers outside the theater where you can store your stuff (genius!)
Julliard (closed to public on day of the tour so we could not see inside)
* Only 6% of applicants are admitted to the school
* It was started by the Damrosch family

The Metropolitan Opera House (closed to public on day of tour so we could just see part of the lobby)

* There are 21 chandeliers made of Swaroski crystals