Friday, March 29, 2024
Miles from the Mainstream
D. R. ZUKERMAN, proprietor
Broadway Under The Stars

JUNE 20, 2004 --

It has rapidly become a tradition in New York that about a week after the Tony awards, the Broadway community will hold a free concert in Bryant Park, next to the New York Public Library's main branch on 42nd street. Some 10,000 people, VIPs and plain folk, filled the park under threatening skies, June 16 for the third annual Broadway Under the Stars concert.

Performers included Sutton Foster, the rgeat Brian Stokes Mitchell winner of the 2000 Tony, best actor in a musical (Kiss Me Kate revival), Raul Esparza, John Hill, Christy Carlson-Romano, Kenita Miller, Tom Wopat, Liz Callaway, 2004 Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose (featured actress, musical --"Caroline, or Change") and Carolee Carmello.

Carolee Carmello tore up the Bryant Park lawn with "Don't Rain on My Parade" and LPR would not be surprised to read about Ms. Carmello starring in a Broadway musical, next season. Donna Murphy appeared at the first Broadway Under the Stars (BUTS) evening and is now starring in"Wonderful Town." (Greg Edelman, Ms. Carmello's husband, is the male
lead in "Wonderful Town.")

And Jane Krakowski went on to star in "Nine" after appearing on the BUTS stage.
Marin Mazzie, who appeared at the first two Broadway Under the Stars evenings, was missed this year. Ms. Mazzie (who tore up the Bryant Park lawn, 2002 with
"Ring Them Bells") is appearing with husband Jason Daniely -- another BUTS alumnus -- in "110 in the Shade," in the Pasadena Playhouse, through July 25.

Broadway Under the Stars is a joint effort of the League of American Theatres and Producers, under the leadership of Jed Bernstein, president, and NYC & Company, under the leadership of Cristyne L.Nicholas, President. Time Warner is a founding sponsor (being
AOL Time Warner for the first two concerts). LPR wonders if 10,000 people would gather in Bryant Park to watch the Tonys -- and with monitors provided as they were at this year's Broadway Under the Stars, and the many that ought to follow.

Of course they would. And at locations all over the country, as well.

One request for next year's concert: an audience sing-along.

Bronson Pinchot was the host for the evening. He is appearing in Sly Fox. (I saw him in Henry V in Central Park last summer.)


Sutton Foster, singing "I'm in Love With a Wonderful Guy" from South Pacific -- she is starring in Thoroughly
Modern Millie.


Raul Esparza


Brian Stokes Mitchell, singing "The
Impossible Dream."


Brian Stokes Mitchell singing "June is Busting Out All Over."


Carolee Carmello singing "Don't Rain on My Parade" photographed off one of the monitors set up for the Bryant Park crowd.


Liz Callaway, also photographed off monitor.

LPR took the subway part of the way to the Broadway Under The Stars Production in Bryant Park, and if the City of New York gets its way, photos like this will be against the law, I have read -- except for people with press IDs, but am not confident even the ID would work underground.


The Bryant Park crowd about 90
minutes before the concert.


Back to back cell phone users in the crowd.


The front part of Bryant Park was reserved for VIP's only.


Jed Bernstein, relaxing a minute, before the concert. He organized the event -- third annual that is, as President of the League of American Theaters and Producers.


Jed Bernstein, President of the
League of Theaters and Producers, photographed off a screen set up in Bryant Park. (So they know where to go to get the equipment!)


Shot I took of the Empire State tower, from Bryant Park -- I think I needed a tripod.


The Finale with Anika Noni Rose, Carolee Carmello, Raul Esparza, and others.


Carolee Carmello, after the concert.


Carolee Carmello, after the concert, signing autographs and speaking with fans.