A star-studded musical celebration, the 4th Annual Best of Broadway & Cabaret to benefit the Actors' Temple [339 West 47th Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenue], the historic theater district landmark that has been a welcoming home to show business Jews, their family, and friends, will take place Monday, November 18 at 7 P.M.
The roster of participating talent includes Tony and Drama Desk nominee Stephen Bogardus, Bernard Dotson [Finian's Rainbow, original Ragtime], Tony and Drama Desk nominee Beth Fowler, Deborah Grausman [An Evening with Alan Menken; recent Fiddler tour], concert artist Valerie Lemon, Dana Lorge [Grind], William Michals [LCT South Pacific revival], Broadway veteran Barbara Minkus, Mark Nadler, Tony and Drama Desk nominee Lee Roy Reams, Camille Saviola [original Nine], TV star Lauren Schaffel, comedy legend Marilyn Sokol, 70s TV and recording sensation Karen Wyman, and numerous others. Paul Chamlin will musical direct.
Hosting and producing the event for the fourth year is
Randie Levine-Miller, who says, "I can truly say the stars are coming out for this fundraiser to help our beloved Actors' Temple. We're so very grateful to these performers for donating their talents and time. There'll be comedy and songs from 'The Jewish-American Songbook.'"
Levine-Miller explains that the inspiration for Monday's event was what the a legendary show business entertainer did. "Temple member,
Sophie Tucker, one of the era's biggest names, would get the Shubert brothers [now
Shubert Organization] to donate a theater and she'd produce an annual show. They were sell-outs and the money raised would help pay temple expenses. It didn't hurt that she called on some friends, also Temple members, such as
Jack Benny,
Milton Berle,
Eddie Cantor,
George Jessel,
Al Jolson, and
Henny Youngman.
"Now," she continues, "we draw on top-caliber Broadway and cabaret stars and create a swell party as well as a mitzvah."
Other show business legend members were
Red Buttons, Joe
E. Lewis,
Tony Martin,
The Ritz Brothers,
Edward G. Robinson, and
Shelley Winters. In addition, membership included sports legend Sandy Koufax and broadcast legend
William B. Williams.
Concert-only tickets are $125; concert and post VIP Cast party/dinner, at Times Square's legendary Tony's di Napoli restaurant, $275. Patron tickets are $1,000, which includes two premium concert tickets, the post party, as well as fine dining for two at a noted New York restaurant.
Book tickets with credit cards at
www.theactorstemple.org; accentonbcast@aol.com; or by calling (212) 362-3616. Arrive early for ticket pick-up. Donations are tax deductible.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos
