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.
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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.)
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Sutton
Foster, singing "I'm in Love With a Wonderful Guy" from
South Pacific -- she is starring in Thoroughly
Modern Millie.
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Raul
Esparza
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Brian
Stokes Mitchell, singing "The
Impossible Dream."
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Brian
Stokes Mitchell singing "June is Busting Out All Over."
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Carolee
Carmello singing "Don't Rain on My Parade" photographed
off one of the monitors set up for the Bryant Park crowd.
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Liz
Callaway, also photographed off monitor.
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